OBJECTIVE: Paediatric patients are given premedication in order to decrease preoperative anxiety, allow smooth induction, and prevent postoperative psychological insult and behavioural changes. A child friendly method of administration is desirable. We compared intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine and ketamine in the operating room environment, to evaluate the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) score at the time of establishing intravenous access for induction of general anaesthesia.
METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care center. One hundred patients, 2-10 years of age, ASA physical status 1 & 2, scheduled for general anaesthesia were enrolled. Patient\'s presedation behaviour was assessed by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale Short Form (mYPAS-SF). Patients in Group D received Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg intranasally, and patients in Group K received Ketamine 5 mg/kg intranasally. After 45 min, patients were transferred to the operating table where intravenous cannulation was carried out and the response to needle insertion was assessed by FLACC scale. Vital signs, including the pulse-oximetry, heart rate and respiratory rate were monitored. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and agitation were also recorded.
RESULTS: A significantly higher FLACC score was seen in Group D as compared to Group K (p = 0.001). The mean heart rate between two groups was found to be significantly (p = 0.001) lower in Group D compared to Group K. However, the proportion of adverse events was 8% in patients who received ketamine.
CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal ketamine in a dose of 5 mg/kg is clinically more effective as premedication in children aged 2-10 years in comparison with intranasal dexmedetomidine in a dose of 1 mcg/kg.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the usefulness of premedication with 75 mg pregabalin orally to reduce the degree of preoperative anxiety in patients scheduled for plastic surgery procedures.
UNASSIGNED: A controlled randomized double-blind clinical trial that analyzed two groups of patients: 75 mg pregabalin tablet (Pg) against placebo tablet (Pl). Efficacy was assessed using the visual anxiety scale (VAS) with two measurements, the first without medication and the second 70 minutes after the drug was taken.
UNASSIGNED: One hundred patients were evaluated, fifty received pregabalin and fifty placebo, baseline VAS score showed an general average of 4.6 ± 1.9 points, significantly higher in the Pg group (Pg 5.2 ± 2.1 points vs 4.1 ± 1.6 points Pl; p = 0.0035). The VAS score after premedication was 3.9 ± 2.1 points, significantly lower in the Pg group (Pg 3.2 ± 1.6 points vs 4.6 ± 2.3 Pl points, p = 0.0006).
UNASSIGNED: Premedication 75 mg pregabalin orally decreases the degree of preoperative anxiety in adult patients scheduled for plastic surgery procedures.
UNASSIGNED: Evaluar la utilidad de la premedicación con 75 mg de pregabalina por vía oral como dosis única para disminuir el grado de ansiedad preoperatoria en pacientes sometidos a cirugía plástica.
UNASSIGNED: Ensayo clínico controlado, prospectivo, aleatorizado, doble ciego, que analizó dos grupos de pacientes: pregabalina tableta de 75 mg (grupo Pg) contra tableta placebo (grupo Pl). La eficacia se evaluó utilizando la escala visual de ansiedad (EVa) con dos mediciones, la primera sin medicación y la segunda 70 minutos después de tomar la cápsula.
UNASSIGNED: Se evaluaron 100 pacientes: 50 que recibieron pregabalina y 50 placebo. La puntuación basal de la EVa mostró un promedio general de 4.6 ± 1.9 puntos, significativamente mayor en el grupo Pg (5.2 ± 2.1 puntos en Pg vs. 4.1 ± 1.6 puntos en Pl; p = 0.0035). El puntaje en la EVa posterior a la premedicación fue de 3.9 ± 2.1 puntos, significativamente menor en el grupo Pg (3.2 ± 1.6 puntos en Pg vs. 4.6 ± 2.3 puntos en Pl; p = 0.0006).
UNASSIGNED: La premedicación con 75 mg de pregabalina disminuye el grado de ansiedad preoperatoria en pacientes que serán intervenidos de cirugía plástica.

Mastocytosis is a disease characterised by an abnormal proliferation of mast cells. The degranulation of mast cells can be triggered by chemical, physical, and psychological factors, and in severe cases may be accompanied by cardiovascular alterations and shock. Tryptase concentrations greater than 20ug/L may be associated with an increased risk of mastocyte degranulation. The case is presented on a 71 year-old man that underwent an aortic valve replacement and aortic-coronary bypass surgery. He had an indolent systemic mastocytosis and a history of histaminergic crises, with a baseline value of tryptase prior to surgery of 58.1ug/L.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of premedication with intravenous paracetamol versus ketorolac, in decreasing intraoperative anaesthetic and postoperative opioid analgesics requirements in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
METHODS: An experimental, prospective, comparative, double blind, and randomised clinical trial was conducted to determine intraoperative opioid requirements, and pain and analgesic requirements in the postoperative period in 100 healthy patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They were randomised into 2 groups: Group 1: pre-medicated with paracetamol 1g, and Group 2: with ketorolac 30mg (both administered intravenously 30minutes prior to surgery).
RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups as regards intraoperative remifentanil use (Group 1: 0.0739±0.016μg/kg/min, Group 2: 0.0741±0.018μg/kg/min). The number of patients in Group 2 that had values of VAS>4 points (22.4%) was lower than in Group 1 (28.6%), but with no statistically significant difference. Of the patients who needed postoperative opioid rescue, most required a single rescue and application of analgesics during hospitalisation, that prevailed between 3 and 12hours, without any significant differences between groups. No adverse effects were observed in the study sample.
CONCLUSIONS: Paracetamol 1g IV given preoperatively decreased anaesthetic requirements and the need for postoperative analgesics similar to the preoperative administration of ketorolac 30mg IV.