SKIN ANTISEPSIS PRACTICES FOR CENTRAL NEURAXIAL BLOCKADE.

Background: Skin antisepsis is essential before the central neuraxial blockade. Various antiseptic solutions are in clinical use, like povidone-iodine, alcohol, or chlorhexidine. This study was conducted to assess current practices for skin antisepsis before central neuraxial blockade and observe the compliance of anaesthesiologists with international standards in Teaching Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.

Knowledge and attitude towards the use of pain medications according to WHO cancer pain analgesic ladder in tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan.

To assess the knowledge and attitude of practicing physicians and surgeons towards the use of pain medication according to the World Health Organisation cancer pain analgesic ladder, the current study was conducted at tertiary care hospitals of the four provinces of Pakistan. Professionals having experience of treating cancer patients for >2 years were included. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire sent to each participant using Google Forms.

Impact of Epidural Catheter-Incision Congruency on Postoperative Analgesia after Major Abdominal Surgery: An Observational Study in a Teaching Hospital.

Objective: To determine the frequency of appropriate epidural catheter-incision congruency in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgeries, as well as the frequency of ineffective postoperative analgesia with continuous epidural infusion, side effects, and complications of epidural insertion and epidural catheter infusion.

Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from September to November 2022.

Enhancing Patient Safety through Education in a Low-to-Middle-Income Country: Training in the Correct Application of Cricoid Pressure.

Background: Cricoid pressure (CP) is applied to occlude the esophagus during endotracheal intubation in patients at an increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents. Evidence shows marked deficiencies in knowledge and skills for CP application among personnel responsible for this task. This study evaluated the effectiveness of CP training in improving knowledge and skills regarding CP application among anesthesiology technicians and critical care nurses and assessed the retention of skills after 2 months.

Pain assessment in intensive care units of a low-middle income country: impact of the basic educational course.

Background: Patients admitted to ICU usually have moderate-to-severe pain at rest and during care-related activities. The "Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)" is a reliable and validated objective assessment tool for those patients who cannot self-report pain in ICU. The objectives of the educational course were to assess the baseline knowledge, and practice of pain assessment in critically ill patients and reassess the same in all participants of the course by comparing the results of pre and post-test.

Frequency Of Inappropriate Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressure And Its Variability In Patients Undergoing Prolonged Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Endotracheal tube (ETT) is inserted into the trachea to maintain airway patency. Maintaining adequate ETT cuff pressure is important to ensure a proper seal to lower the risk of aspiration and tracheal trauma. This study was designed to assess the frequency of inappropriate ETT cuff pressure at the time of intubation and variation in ETT pressure at the end of a prolonged surgery.

Association Between Low Back Pain and Body Mass Index in Pakistani Population: Analysis of the Software Bank Data.

Background: Obesity is a growing public health concern and is one of the leading causes of human suffering and disability worldwide. The number of overweight and obese people is dramatically increasing, and local data showed that low back pain (LBP) is more common in people with obesity, prolonged sitting jobs, psychological disorders, and lack of exercise.

Methods: This study was conducted in a cohort of 300 adult patients of either gender who visited a pain management clinic with LBP.

Breaking the pain cycle successfully in a child with severe pain due to recurrent pancreatitis: A case report.

Abdominal pain, due to pancreatic diseases like idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis, is difficult to manage with medications alone in some patients. The Coeliac plexus innervates abdominal organs including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, etc. We are presenting a case of the successful pain man-agement of a 13-year-old boy with recurrent pancreatitis, by the application of coeliac plexus block.

Persistent post-surgical pain following breast cancer surgery: An observational study in a tertiary care hospital.

Objective: To determine the frequency of persistent pain in patients after breast cancer surgery, and to assess the distribution and characteristics of pain in such patients.

Methods: The prospective observational single cohort study was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology and in the Breast Clinic of the Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from August 2016 to January 2017, and comprised adult female patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma of breast who were scheduled for elective definitive breast cancer surgery. The patients were followed up for up to three months post-surgery and those with persistent pain were followed up for six months post-operation.

Post-operative pain management modalities employed in clinical trials for adult patients in LMIC; a systematic review.

Background: Unrelieved postoperative pain afflicts millions each year in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Despite substantial advances in the study of pain, this area remains neglected. Current systematic review was designed to ascertain the types of clinical trials conducted in LMIC on postoperative pain management modalities over the last decade.

Airway management and postoperative length of hospital stay in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery.

Background And Aims: General anesthesia and airway management of patients for head and neck cancer surgery is a challenge for the anesthesiologist. Appropriate assessment and planning are essential for successful airway management. Our objectives were to review airway management strategies in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery in our tertiary care institution and also to observe the effect of airway management techniques on postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS).

Efficacy of pre-incisional peritonsillar infiltration of ketamine for post-tonsillectomy analgesia in children.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of pre-incisional peritonsillar infiltration of two doses of ketamine on postoperative analgesia compared with peritonsillar normal saline in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

Study Design: Double blind, randomized controlled trial.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care and Pain Management, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Dow University of Health Sciences, from August 2008 to January 2009.

New single use supraglottic airway device with non-inflatable cuff and gastric tube channel.

Objective: To assess ventilatory characteristics and airway complications associated with the use of I-gel in patients undergoing gynaecological surgeries.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and Pain Management, Civil Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from July 2008 to June 2009.