Background:Hip fracture is a devastating health-care problem in a geriatric patient, leading to high mortality and morbidity. Preoperative risk assessment in the geriatric patient is often inexact because of the difficulty in measuring their poor physiologic reserves.Aims:The primary objective was to find the association of modified frailty index (MFI) with 90-day mortality in geriatric patients who received anesthesia for fractured hip. Secondary objectives were to assess the association of preoperative waiting time with the 90-day mortality and the correlation of preexisting medical conditions with poor functional outcome among the survivors.Settings and Designs:This prospective, observational study was conducted at a tertiary care institution.Subjects and Methods:In this prospective observational study, done over a period of 1 year, 60 geriatric patients aged ≥65 years who received anesthesia for fractured hip and fulfilled selection criteria were recruited. The association of MFI with 90-day mortality and the correlation of preexisting comorbidities with poor functional outcome among the survivors were assessed.Statistical Analysis Used:Independent sample t-test, Mann–Whitney test, and odds ratio were used as applicable.Results:Total 60 patients were available for analysis as two patients dropped off from final 62 on follow up, fifty three patients survived after 90 days. MFI and 90-day mortality showed a significant direct correlation with P < 0.0001. However, no association was found between the preoperative waiting time and 90-day mortality. Preexisting medical conditions showed a significant association of dementia with total dependence afterward with a P = 0.02.Conclusion:There is significant statistical correlation of MFI with the 90-day mortality in the geriatric hip-fractured patients undergoing surgery.

Background and Aims:Premedication is an integral component of paediatric anaesthesia which, when optimal, allows comfortable separation of the child from the parent for induction and conduct of anaesthesia. Midazolam has been accepted as a safe and effective oral premedicant. Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 agonist with sedative and analgesic effects, which is effective through the transmucosal route. We compared the efficacy and safety of standard premedication with oral midazolam versus intranasal dexmedetomidine as premedication in children undergoing elective lower abdominal surgery.Methods:This was a prospective randomised double-blinded trial comparing the effects of premedication with 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam versus 1 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine in children between 2 and 12 years undergoing abdominal surgery. Sedation scores at separation and induction were the primary outcome measures. Behaviour scores and haemodynamic changes were secondary outcomes. Student's t-test and Chi-square were used for analysis of the variables.Results:Sedation scores were superior in Group B (dexmedetomidine) than Group A (midazolam) at separation and induction (P < 0.001). The behaviour scores at separation, induction and wake up scores at extubation were similar between the two groups. The heart rate and blood pressure showed significant differences at 15, 30 and 45 min in Group B but did not require pharmacological intervention for correction.Conclusion:Intranasal dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 μg/kg produced superior sedation scores at separation and induction but normal behavioural scores in comparison to oral midazolam in paediatric patients.

Background and Aims:Successful awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) depends on adequate topical anaesthesia of the airway. We aimed to compare efficacy of atomised local anaesthetic versus transtracheal topical anaesthesia for AFOI.Methods:It was a prospective, randomised controlled study of 33 patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status 1–3 with anticipated difficult airway requiring AFOI. The primary objective was to compare the patient comfort after topical anaesthesia of the airway using atomiser with transtracheal injection of the local anaesthetic agent for AFOI in patients with anticipated difficult airway. The secondary objectives were to compare the ease of intubation, time required to intubate and the haemodynamic changes during intubation. After topical anaesthesia of nostrils, patients in Group T received transtracheal injection of 4 ml of 4% lignocaine whereas Group A patients received 4-5mL of 4% atomised lignocaine using DeVilbiss atomiser before AFOI. Patient comfort assessed objectively by the anaesthetic assistant during the procedure, ease of intubation assessed using cough and gag reflex score, time taken to intubate and the haemodynamic changes during the procedure were compared.Results:Ease of intubation, patient comfort and the time taken to intubate were significantly better in Group T patients, with P = 0.001, 0.009 and 0.019, respectively, compared with the patients in Group A. There were no significant changes in haemodynamic parameters.Conclusion:Topical anaesthesia by transtracheal injection in patients with anticipated difficult airway made AFOI easier and faster with better patient comfort compared to atomiser with no clinically significant untoward side effects.

Background:Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following abdominal surgery are associated with increased morbidity and poorer outcomes. We prospectively examined risk factors associated with the development of PPC in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.Aims:The primary outcome was to determine the association of predefined risk factors in the prediction of PPC after abdominal surgery. Secondary outcomes were evaluation of outcomes of PPC.Setting and Design:This was a prospective study conducted in the gastrosurgical and urological units of a tertiary care referral hospital in patients undergoing abdominal surgery over a period of 6 months (November 2015–April 2016).Materials and Methods:Relevant preoperative and intraoperative variables were recorded by the anesthesiologist in a pro forma provided. Postoperatively, data from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were collected from data sheets. PPC were defined according to preset criteria and outcomes of the patients including ICU stay, hospital stay, and mortality were noted.Statistical Analysis:Chi-square test was used to find the association of risk factors of PPC. Mann–Whitney test was used for continuous variables and McNemar's test for postoperative respiratory variables. A final regression analysis was performed with factors with significant association (P < 0.1)Results:One hundred and fifty patients were included, and 24 patients (16%) developed PPC as defined by our criteria. Emergency surgery (44.4% of PPC) and cardiac comorbidity (23.9% of PPC) were significant associations for pulmonary complications. The length of ICU and hospital stay (LOICU, LOHS) and mortality were higher in the group with pulmonary complications (P < 0.001).Conclusions:Emergent surgery and cardiac comorbidities were independent predictors for the development of PPC. PPC are associated with increased LOHS, LOICU stay, and mortality.

Background:Awake fiberoptic intubation (AFOI) is the gold standard for the management of predicted difficult airway, and inappropriate sedation is a major cause leading to its failure.Aims:The primary objective was to compare the heart rate (HR) changes that accompany AFOI following sedation with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl. Secondary objectives included comparison of changes in blood pressure, patient comfort, ease of intubation, and degree of sedation.Settings and Designs:This prospective double-blinded randomized study was conducted in a tertiary care institution.Subjects and Methods:Forty patients with anticipated difficult airway requiring AFOI were included in the study. Group A received dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg whereas Group B received fentanyl 2 μg/kg. After topical anesthesia of the airway, AFOI was performed.Statistical Analysis Used:Fisher's exact test, independent two-sample t-test, and Mann–Whitney U-test were used as applicable.Results:The hemodynamic parameters were comparable in both the groups except at 1 min postintubation when fentanyl group had significantly higher HR. There were lower alertness and muscle tone scores in dexmedetomidine group. Total comfort score was significantly higher in fentanyl group. Though more patients in dexmedetomidine group showed that no reaction to intubation and more patients in fentanyl had slight grimacing, the difference was insignificant. The ease of intubation was similar in both the groups.Conclusion:Though dexmedetomidine1 μg/kg and fentanyl 2 μg/kg premedication results in comparable hemodynamics and ease of intubation, in view of enhanced patient comfort, dexmedetomidine premedication is advantageous in patients with anticipated difficult airway undergoing AFOI.

Background and Objectives Platelet transfusions are common in clinical practice especially in the intensive care unit settings without acceptable clinical evidence. A retrospective audit was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of thrombocytopenia, transfusion triggers and indications of transfusion and to assess the appropriateness of platelet transfusions based on current guidelines in patients admitted to a tertiary care intensive care unit (ICU) in South Australia. Methods Platelet counts on ICU admission, during ICU stay, use of platelet transfusion and clinical outcomes including bleeding for each consecutive admission to ICU over a 12‐month period was collected. Results The prevalence of thrombocytopenia (platelet counts <150 × 109/l) was 51·7% in 1790 ICU patients, of which 32·4% (580/1790) were thrombocytopenic at admission while 19·4% (347/1790) of patients developed thrombocytopenia during their ICU stay. Severe thrombocytopenia with platelet counts <50 × 109/l was observed in 4·2%, with 2·6% at admission and 1·6% subsequently. Two hundred and thirteen patients (11·6%) received 480 units of platelets through 319 transfusion episodes. A total of 82·1% (262/319) of these transfusion episodes were therapeutic and 17·9% (57/319) prophylactic. Based on criteria developed from prevailing guidelines and literature, 14·1% (45/319) of platelet transfusion episodes were assessed to be inappropriate, which was 15·8% (9/57) in the prophylactic and 13·7% (36/262) in the therapeutic transfusion episodes. Conclusion Thrombocytopenia is common in ICU patients, and a significant proportion of ICU patients receive platelet transfusions to control bleeding and maintain haemostasis. A minority of patients receive inappropriate platelet transfusions with unclear benefits with a potential to develop serious transfusion‐related adverse events.

Background:Patients undergoing corrective surgery for scoliosis may require postoperative ventilation for various reasons.Aim:The aim was to study the correlation of preoperative (pulmonary function test [PFT], etiology, and Cobb's angle) and intraoperative factors (type of surgery, number of spinal segments involved, blood transfusion, and temperature at the end of surgery) on postoperative ventilation following scoliosis surgery.Settings and Design:patients' medical records of scoliosis surgery at a tertiary care center during 2010–2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Materials and Methods:We studied retrospectively 108 scoliosis surgeries done in our institute during this period by the same group of anesthetists using standardized anesthesia technique. We analyzed preoperative (etiology, preoperative PFT, and Cobb's angle) and intraoperative factors (type of surgery, number of spinal segments involved, blood transfusion, and temperature) influencing postoperative ventilation.Statistical Analysis:For all the continuous variables, the results are either given in mean ± standard deviation, and for categorical variables as a percentage. To obtain the association of categorical variables, Chi-square test was applied.Results:Patients with Cobb's angle above 76° and spinal segment involvement of 11 ± 3 required postoperative ventilation. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%) <38 and forced vital capacity (FVC%) <38.23 of the predicted could not be extubated. Increased blood transfusion and hypothermia were found to affect postoperative ventilation.Conclusion:Preoperative factors such as etiology of scoliosis, Cobb's angle, spirometric values FEV1% and FVC% of predicted and intraoperative factors like number of spinal segments involved, affect postoperative ventilation following scoliosis surgery. Increased blood transfusion and hypothermia are the preventable factors leading to ventilation.

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