The comparison of ProSeal and I-gel laryngeal mask airways in anesthetized adult patients under controlled ventilation

Objectives:

To compare the insertion time, ease of device insertion, ease of gastric tube insertion, airway leakage pressure, and complications between the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) ProSeal (P-LMA) and I-gel (I-gel) groups.

Methods:

Eighty patients with age range 18-65 years who underwent elective surgery were included in the study. The study took place in the operation rooms of Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey from November 2013 to April 2014. Patients were equally randomized into 2 groups; the I-gel group, and the P-LMA group. In both groups, the same specialist inserted the supraglottic airway devices. The insertion time of the devices, difficulty during insertion, difficulty during gastric tube insertion, coverage of airway pressure, and complications were recorded.

Results:

The mean insertion time in the I-gel group was significantly lower than that of the P-LMA group (I-gel: 8±3; P-LMA: 13±5 s). The insertion success rate was higher in the I-gel group (100%, first attempt) than in the P-LMA group (82.5%, first attempt). The gastric tube placement success rate was higher in the I-gel group (92.5%, first attempt) than in the P-LMA group (72.5%, first attempt). The airway leakage pressures were similar.

Conclusion:

Insertion was easier, insertion time was lower, and nasogastric tube insertion success was higher with the I-gel application, and is, therefore, the preferred LMA.Laryngeal mask airways (LMA) represent a good alternative to endotracheal intubation in suitable cases. The LMAs are used to provide ventilation, or to ease the insertion of an endotracheal tube (TT) in difficult airways, but they are also becoming more frequently used to reduce TT associated complications.1 In particular, the recently developed models of LMAs, which include a gastric tube, have become more commonly preferred in anesthesia applications.2 The I-gel (I-gel) (Intersurgical Ltd, Workingham, UK) has a latex-free, non-inflatable, gel-like, thermoplastic elastomeric cuff that provides easy coverage by properly fitting the anatomy of the supraglottic region and also involves a gastric tube; therefore, it has become more frequently used in patients under general anesthesia and receiving positive pressure ventilation.3 It has been reported that the single-use, inflatable cuff-free I-gel can be inserted more easily and has a reduced morbidity rate.4,5 It is recommended in emergency cases requiring intubation, and particularly in airway management of cases experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest.6 Another supraglottic airway device that enables gastric aspiration is the LMA ProSeal (Laryngeal Mask Company Ltd, Berkshire, UK). Since it is a semi-rigid device with an inflatable cuff, it has been reported to cause mucosa and nerve damage in the supraglottic region, sore throat, and hoarseness due to the cuff pressure.7The present study aimed to compare the I-gel and the LMA ProSeal (P-LMA) with respect to the duration of insertion, ease of insertion, airway pressure leakage, gastric tube insertion success ratio, and complications.     

Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Comparison of Efficacy versus Other Novel Treatments for Refractory Angina Pectoris

Abstract: Recently much attention has been directed toward novel treatment alternatives for refractory angina pectoris. Refractory angina is persistent stable class III or IV angina despite maximally tolerated medical treatment in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease. Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR), gene therapy, intermittent urokinase therapy, enhanced external balloon counterpulsation, and spinal cord stimulation have all been employed to treat refractory angina pectoris. TMLR and gene therapy are invasive open-chest procedures that have yielded controversial results. Intermittent urokinase and enhanced external balloon counterpulsation studies have limited follow-up times and require multiple clinic visits for treatment. Spinal cord stimulation has a proven short- and long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the treatment of refractory angina. When compared to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), it has been shown to decrease the frequency of anginal attacks and consumption of short-acting nitrates to the same extent in refractory angina. Spinal cord stimulation's safety profile has also been well established and it can be used concurrently with cardiac pacemakers or MRI systems, provided the proper precautions are taken. Since spinal cord stimulation is a minimally invasive procedure with a favorable efficacy and safety profile, it should be considered as a valid treatment alternative after medical management has failed in refractory angina prior to implementing invasive modalities such as TMLR or gene therapy.     

Clinical results of free vascularized fibula graft in the management of precollapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head: A retrospective clinical study

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate clinical results, femoral head survival, and the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with precollapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head (OFH) (Steinberg stage II and III) treated by free vascularized fibula graft (FVFG) application.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 54 hips of 47 patients (39 males, eight females; mean age 36 ± 14 years) who underwent FVFG due to OFH, with at least two years of follow-up. The patient data, including Harris Hip Score (HHS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and conversion to THA, were documented.Results:The right hip of 26 patients and the left hip of 28 patients were involved. Bilateral FVFG surgery was performed on seven patients due to bilateral OFH. The mean follow-up time was 5.5 (range 2-14) years. Survival of the femoral head was observed in 39 hips (72.2%), while the femoral head collapse was observed in 15 femoral heads (27.8%). The mean preoperative HHS increased from 46.5 (range = 12-85) to 86.5 (range = 33-100) postoperatively (P < 0.001). The mean preoperative VAS score improved from 8.2 (range = 2-10) to 1.3 (range = 0-10) postoperatively (P < 0.001). THA was performed on seven hips at a mean follow-up time of 1.8 years (range = 0.7–3.3). There was no significant difference in the collapse rate between unilateral or bilateral OFH (P = 0.175). A higher survival rate was observed in the Steinberg stage II femoral head patients compared to the stage III femoral head (P = 0.021).Conclusion:This study has shown that FVFG surgery can be a good option for managing patients with Steinberg stage II and III precollapse OFH to prevent femoral head collapse and joint function.     

A Long-Term Comparison of Presenting Characteristics of Children with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective:Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) - a potentially preventable complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) - is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, and is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. The limited use of healthcare services due to fear of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) transmission during the pandemic has raised concerns of delays in T1D diagnosis, among other diseases. This study investigated the presenting characteristics of newly diagnosed T1D patients assessed in a single clinic during the pandemic and compares them with the pre-pandemic period.Methods:For the purpose of this study, the first year of the pandemic is referred to as the “pandemic period”, and the previous three years as the “pre-pandemic period”. Patient files were reviewed retrospectively, the demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of the patients were recorded, and the findings from both periods were compared.Results:The number of patients diagnosed with T1D in the pandemic period was 44, and in the pre-pandemic period 39 in 2017, 22 in 2018 and 18 in 2019. The two groups had similar age, sex, pubertal stage and anthropometric characteristics (p>0.05). Regarding the type of presentation, the frequency of DKA was significantly higher in the pandemic period (68.2%) than in the pre-pandemic period (40.5%) (p=0.006), and this difference was also observed in the comparison by years (p=0.016). The duration of symptoms (16.5±10.7 vs. 23.5±17.6 days) and the length of hospital stay (10±3.9 vs. 15.2±5.5 days) were significantly shorter in the pandemic period (p=0.032, and p<0.001, respectively). There was no difference in the frequency of severe DKA between the pandemic (46.7%) and the pre-pandemic (37.5%) periods (p>0.05). However, pH (7.17±0.16 vs. 7.26±0.14) and bicarbonate (12.8±6.3 vs. 16.6±6.3) levels were significantly lower in the pandemic period (p<0.005). Additional signs of infection on admission were less frequent in the pandemic period (9.1%) than in the pre-pandemic period (27.8%) (p=0.027). The groups did not differ in terms of hemoglobin A1c, C-peptide, concurrent thyroid autoantibodies and tissue transglutaminase antibodies (p>0.05). The rate of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase positivity was higher in the pandemic period (73.8% vs. 39.2%) (p=0.001) while the frequency of other diabetes-associated autoantibodies was similar between the groups (p>0.05). The polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 was negative in six patients with a history of contact.Conclusion:There was an increased frequency and severity of DKA in children with newly diagnosed T1D in the pandemic period, and these findings justify concerns related to the diagnosis of other diseases during the pandemic. Studies to raise awareness of diabetes symptoms during the pandemic should be continued regularly to reach all segments of society. Our study provides an additional contribution to the literature in its coverage of the one-year period during the pandemic and its comparison with the previous three years.     

Beitrag zur Histopathologie der Hallervorden-Spatzschen Erkrankung

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Mutation Spectrum of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patients in Turkish Population: Identification of 3 Novel APC Mutations

BackgroundFamilial adenomatous polyposis (OMIM #175100) and MUTYH-associated polyposis (OMIM #608456) are rare cancer-prone disorders characterized by hundreds of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum, which have a high probability of malignant transformation. Attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis is a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, which is a term used for the condition in which patients have less than 100 colorectal polyps. Germline heterozygous Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and biallelic MUTYH (mutY DNA glycosylase) pathogenic variations are responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis and MUTYH-associated polyposis respectively. The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical manifestations of patients having pathogenic APC and MUTYH variations.MethodsWe included 27 probands who have more than 10 colonic polyps in this study. After evaluation of their clinical and family histories, the probands were screened for APC and MUTYH variations via next generation sequencing. The family members of the probands carrying pathogenic variations were screened via Sanger sequencing. ResultsAmong 27 probands, pathogenic APC and MUTYH variations were detected in 3 and 6 probands respectively. In the APC gene, 3 novel truncating variations (p.Leu360*, p.Leu1489Phefs*23, and p.Leu912*) were detected in 3 unrelated probands. In the MUTYH gene, only 2 distinct pathogenic variations were detected (p.Pro295Leu and p.Glu480del) in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state.ConclusionIn this study, molecular etiology was clarified in 9 familial polyposis patients. The p.Pro295Leu and p.Glu480del variations seem to be common in the Turkish population and may be considered as a first-step genetic test in Turkish familial polyposis patients showing autosomal recessive inheritance. However more studies are needed to reveal the exact frequency of these variations.