Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Hemispherectomy is an established surgical procedure to treat medically refractory epilepsy caused by diffuse hemispheric diseases. The most common complication of hemispherectomy is intraoperative bleeding. Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion increases mortality and morbidity in pediatric patients. ⋯ We present a series of three cases undergoing pediatric hemispherectomy, where a new algorithm was employed to manage coagulation. This new algorithm was mainly based on timely thrombelastogram analyses guided clotting factors supplement and continuous administration of tranexamic acid. In our cases, the amount of blood loss and subsequent allogeneic blood transfusion seemed to be less than literature reported.
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Observational Study
Middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity during beach chair position for shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.
The goal of the present study was to examine changes of middle cerebral artery (VMCA) blood flow velocity in patients scheduled for shoulder surgery in beach chair position. ⋯ Beach chair position resulted in transient decrease in MAP requiring fluid challenge and vasopressors and a moderate decrease in VMCA.
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A pregnant patient in second trimester scheduled for posterior fossa craniotomy in prone position is a challenge for the anesthesiologist. Things to consider are physiological changes during pregnancy, non-obstetric surgery in pregnant patients, neuroanesthetic principles, effects of prone positioning, and need for fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring. We have described the anesthetic management of this case and discussed intra-operative FHR monitoring including controversies about its role, indications, and various options available as per fetal gestational age. ⋯ Decisions regarding fetal monitoring should be individualized based on viability of the fetus and feasibility of emergency cesarean delivery. Good communication between a multidisciplinary team involving neurosurgeon, anesthesiologist, obstetrician, and neonatologist is important for a successful outcome for mother and fetus. We conclude that prone position neurosurgery can safely be carried out in a pregnant patient with pre-viable fetus without FHR monitoring.
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The green color in urine may suggest the presence of a severe pathology needing treatment. Many different potential causes of green urine have previously been reported. In our case, after ruling out other potential causes of green urine, it was suggested that the surgical manipulation of the paralytic ileum might have induced the reabsorption of the methylene blue which had been retained in the bowel (bezoar effect), even 96 hours after the nasogastric administration.
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Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling syndrome where the patient presents with neuropathic pain, edema, or vasomotor or pseudomotor abnormalities that are often refractory to treatment. Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 may occurs in stroke patients. Radiofrequency is a therapeutic modality that has been used for years for diseases associated with neuropathic pain. ⋯ These cases illustrates that pulsed radiofrequency applied to cervical dorsal root ganglia might play a significant role in multi-modal approach of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 management after stroke. Further randomized, controlled studies are needed to support this argument.