Browsing by Author "Gautam, B"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Publication Antiemetic prophylaxis against postoperative nausea and vomiting with ondansetron-dexamethasone combination compared to ondansetron or dexamethasone alone for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy(Kathmandu University, 2008) Gautam, B; Shrestha, BR; Lama, P; Rai, SAbstract Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common distressing experience in patients following laparoscopic surgeries. This study was aimed at comparing the ef cacies of Ondansetron-Dexamethasone combination with each drug alone as a prophylaxis against PONV in patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy done under general anaesthesia. Materials and methods: Hundred and fty ASA I and II patients, aged 23 to 65 yrs, were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial to receive one of three treatment regimens: 4 mg Ondansetron (Group O), 8 mg Dexamethasone (Group D) or 4 mg Ondansetron plus 8 mg Dexamethasone (Group OD) (n=50 for each). A standardized balanced general anaesthetic technique was employed. Any episode of PONV and need for rescue antiemetic were assessed at six, 12 and 24 hrs post operation. Complete response was de ned as no PONV in 24 hrs and need for rescue antiemetic was considered as failure of prophylaxis. Pain scores, time to rst analgesia demand, amount of Meperidine consumption, adverse event(s) and duration of hospital stay were recorded. Results: Complete response occurred in 66.7, 66.0 and 89.4% in Groups O, D and OD respectively. Rescue antiemetics were required in 29.2, 31.9 and 8.5% of patients in Groups O, D, and OD respectively. Signi cantly high incidence of vomiting and failure of prophylaxis (19.1%) occurred in group D during the rst six hrs (P=0.023 versus O & 0.008 versus OD). More frequent antiemetic rescue was required in group O at 6 to 24 hr interval as compared to group OD (P=0.032). Conclusion: Combination of Ondansetron and Dexamethasone is better than each drug alone in preventing PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Dexamethasone alone is signi cantly less effective in preventing early vomiting compared to its combination with Ondansetron; whereas Ondansetron alone is less effective against late PONV as compared with combination therapy. Key words: Antiemetic prophylaxis; Dexamethasone; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Ondansetron; postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)Publication Cardiac arrest during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia: A study into four cases(Kathmandu University, 2009) Gautam, B; Shrestha, BRAbstract Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapChole) has virtually superseded the more conventional open abdomen approach for the surgical treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis. LapChole is however not a risk free procedure and serious, potentially fatal intra-operative complications can occur. Here we present case reports of four patients who suffered from intra-operative cardiac arrest during LapChole. All four recovered without residual morbidity and three of them underwent successful surgery in the same setting. No definite cause could be identified in any of the patients. We outline several possible mechanisms that could have been involved and discuss these events in face of published reports describing similar incidences. We infer that the creation of carbon-dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum was involved in the causation of the cardiac arrest because all four incidences occurred within minutes thereafter. Although rare, such complications can be fatal and are thus demanding to the anaesthesiologist. Key words: Anaesthetic complications; carbon-dioxide pneumoperitoneum (CP); cardiac arrest; general anaesthesia; laparoscopic cholecystectomyPublication Spinal anaesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A feasibility and safety study(Kathmandu University, 2009) Gautam, BAbstract Background: Regional anaesthetic techniques have benefited those patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries that are deemed high risk to receive general anaesthesia (GA). But spinal anaesthesia (SA) has not been routinely employed as the sole technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Objective: This study was conducted to uncover feasibility and safety of SA for conducting LC. Materials and methods: Twelve American Society of Anaesthesiologists' physical status I or II patients undergoing elective LC received SA using 4 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine mixed with 0.15 mg Morphine. Peri-operative preparations and management were all standardised, with other drugs being only administered to manage anxiety, pain, nausea/vomiting, hypotension, and any adverse event. LC was performed with CO2 pneumoperitoneum maintained at an intra-abdominal pressure of less than 10 mm Hg and with minimal operating table tilt. Peri-operative events, operative difficulty, hospital stay and patient satisfaction were studied. Results: Spinal anaesthesia was adequate for surgery in all but one patient. Intraoperatively, two out of four patients who experienced right shoulder pain received Fentanyl. Two patients were given Midazolam for anxiety and one was given Ephedrine for hypotension. Operative difficulty scores were minimal and surgery in one patient was converted to open cholecystectomy. Postoperatively, pain scores were minimal and no patient demanded opioid. One patient required antiemetic for vomiting and one patient each suffered headache and urinary retention. 11 patients were discharged within 48 hours of surgery and patient satisfaction scores were very good. Conclusion: Spinal anaesthesia with Morphine-mixed hyperbaric Bupivacaine is adequate and safe for elective LC in otherwise healthy patients and minimises postoperative pain and opioid use. Success and safety of this technique, however, necessitates knowledgeable patient, gentle surgical procedure, and co-operation among patient and members of the perioperative care team. Key words: Hyperbaric Bupivacaine; intrathecal Morphine; laparoscopic cholecystectomy; spinal anaesthesia.