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Background and Objective: Appropriate analgesia after surgery helps patients feel more comfortable and increase the mobility of them. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of subcutaneous injection of Ketamine and Lidocaine in reducing postoperative pain in patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia surgery under general anesthesia.
Methods: This double blinded, randomized clinical trial study was done on 60 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia under general anesthesia. Subjects were randomly assigned into three groups including control, Ketamine and Lidocaine groups. Subjects in Ketamine group were received infiltration of subcutaneous Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg/bw after closure of surgical incision. Subjects in Lidocaine group were received infiltration of subcutaneous Lidocaine 1 mg/kg/bw at the time of wound suturing. Subjects in control group did not receive Ketamine and Lidocaine. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and vital signs were continuously assessed. If VAS≥3, 100 mg diclofenac suppository was administered and if there were no response, 30 mg intravenous pethidine was also administered. The complications, including hallucination, nystagmus, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness in patients were also recorded.
Results: The mean VAS at 1, 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in the Ketamine and Lidocaine group in compared to control group (P<0.05). No significant adverse effect was observed in the Ketamine group.
Conclusion: For reduction of pain, administration of subcutaneous Ketamine is recommended due to no adverse effect and anti analgesic effect of Ketamine is similar to Lidocaine.

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Background and Objective: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an important complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with endotracheal intubation. Finding potential early indicators of this condition can aid in reducing the disease burden. We aimed to investigate the relationship between VAP occurrence and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and hemoglobin (Hgb) during ICU hospitalization of brain trauma patients.
Method: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on brain trauma patients (99 male, 39 female), referring to the 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan, Iran, in the course of 2017. The patients were hospitalized in ICU with endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis of VAP was confirmed by a 12-score rating based on chest radiographs, body temperature, white blood cell count, and sputum culture. After admission, serum CRP, PCT, and Hgb were documented daily for 6 days.
Results: According to the diagnostic criteria, VAP was confirmed in 41 patients (30%). Serum CRP and PCT levels on the 6th-day post-admission were significantly associated with VAP diagnosis, while Hgb levels did not differ significantly between VAP and non-VAP patients. Serum levels of CRP, PCT, and Hgb on the 6th day were not associated with age or sex.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that serum CRP and PCT levels are associated with the occurrence of VAP in ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Therefore, these biomarkers could be utilized to warn physicians about the possibility of VAP, thereby reducing mortality rate and hospitalization length.
 

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Background and Objective: Lidocaine is the most effective anesthetic and a valuable drug for nerve pain control and management. Dexamethasone is commonly used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dexamethasone, together with a local anesthetic, enhances the peripheral nerve block. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the duration of anesthesia and analgesia effects after surgery in 2 anesthesia methods.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 50 patients aged 18 to 70 years who were candidates for orthopedic surgery and visited the 5th Azar Medical Training Center, Gorgan, Iran during 2021. The sample was selected via convenience sampling and by checking the inclusion criteria. In group 1, 10 ml of Lidocaine 1%, and in group 2, 8 ml of 1% Lidocaine and 2 ml of dexamethasone were used as infiltration in the operation site. The average onset of analgesia and the duration of analgesia as well as postoperative pain between both anesthesia methods were determined and compared with the visual analog scale.
Results: The average duration of anesthetic effect was significantly higher in group 2 (P<0.05). In addition, the average pain duration of the patients of group 2 had a downward trend from the time of entry to when they exited the recovery room (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The combination of dexamethasone and Lidocaine increased the duration of finger nerve block effect and analgesia after surgery.