OBJECTIVESTo compare the landmark-guided technique versus the ultrasound-guided technique for internal jugular vein cannulation in spontaneously breathing patients.METHODSA total of 380 patients who required internal jugular vein cannulation were randomly assigned to receive internal jugular vein cannulation using either the landmark- or ultrasound-guided technique in Bursa, Uludag University Faculty of Medicine, between April and November, 2008. Failed catheter placement, risk of complications from placement, risk of failure on first attempt at placement, number of attempts until successful catheterization, time to successful catheterization and the demographics of each patient were recorded.RESULTSThe overall complication rate was higher in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group (p < 0.01). Carotid puncture rate and hematoma were more frequent in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group (p < 0.05). The number of attempts for successful placement was significantly higher in the landmark group than in the ultrasound-guided group, which was accompanied by a significantly increased access time observed in the landmark group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Although there were a higher number of attempts, longer access time, and a more frequent complication rate in the landmark group, the success rate was found to be comparable between the two groups.CONCLUSIONThe findings of this study indicate that internal jugular vein catheterization guided by real-time ultrasound results in a lower access time and a lower rate of immediate complications.

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Objective: Midazolam and dexmedetomidine, which are used for sedation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, were compared to evaluate the diff erences in effi cacy, hemodynamics, and side eff ects. Materials and Methods:Fifty patients aged between 18 and 80 were randomly assigned to two groups according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classifi cation: Group M received midazolam with an initial bolus infusion of 0.04 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.), followed by additional doses of 0.5 mg i.v. midazolam, titrated to achieve a Ramsay sedation scale score of 3-4. Group D received dexmedetomidine with an initial bolus infusion of 1 mcg/kg/hr i.v. over 10 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.2-0.7 mcg/ kg/hr, titrated to achieve an RSS of 3-4. A Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was performed prior to sedation and in the recovery room once the Modifi ed Aldrete Score (MAS) reached 9-10. Patient heart rates, arterial pressure and pain were evaluated.Results: Patients in Group D had lower heart rates at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 minutes following the initiation of sedation (p<0.05). There was no statistical diff erence in arterial pressure, RSS, MMSE or respiratory rate between the two groups. Coughing, nausea and vomiting occurred in 3 patients in Group M (12%), whereas no patient in Group D experienced these symptoms. The procedure elicited a gag response in 7 patients in Group M (28%) and in 4 patients in Group D (16%), with no signifi cant diff erence between groups (p>0.05). When patient and surgeon satisfaction was compared between the two groups, Group D showed higher surgeon satisfaction scores (p<0.05). Conclusion:The use of dexmedetomidine for conscious sedation during short, invasive procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, could be a superior alternative to the use of midazolam.

This study investigated whether the addition of 25 microg fentanyl to an ultra-low (sub-anaesthetic) dose of intrathecal bupivacaine provides adequate anaesthesia for out-patient anorectal surgery, without increasing side-effects or delaying hospital discharge. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 2.5 mg 0.5% bupivacaine plus 25 microg fentanyl (group BF, n = 18) or 5 mg 0.5% bupivacaine alone (group B, n = 17). There were no significant differences in intra-operative outcomes, but mean recovery and discharge times were significantly shorter in group BF. There were no between-group differences in hypotension, bradycardia or respiratory depression and post-operative complications were comparable, apart from pruritus which was significantly more frequent in group BF. Fewer patients requested analgesic medication in the early post-operative period in group BF than in group B. In conclusion, 25 microg intrathecal fentanyl added to ultra-low dose (2.5 mg) bupivacaine provided good-quality spinal anaesthesia and reduced post-operative analgesic requirement in patients undergoing ambulatory anorectal surgery.

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