Background: Different central venous devices are required in cancer patients for long duration, especially in hematological malignancies. In this new era of highly developed long-term central venous devices such as port and peripherally inserted central catheter line, incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is low. However, immunocompromised cancer patients may acquire catheter-related opportunistic infections frequently including Burkholderia cepacia. B.cepacia can cause various bloodstream infections, pneumonias, and wound infections etc. Methodology and Result: We analyzed an outbreak of 14 cases of B. cepacia infection in patients with long-term central venous lines at a tertiary oncology care center. Febrile neutropenia was the only clinical presentation at the time of detection of infection in almost all patients, and the catheter had to be removed in 10 patients owing to partial response to susceptible antibiotic therapy. The source of infection that led to the outbreak could not be identified. Nevertheless, all possible measures to prevent cross-contamination including training of the staff to maintain hand hygiene and aseptic precautions were taken. Although resecuring central venous access is difficult in these patients due to bleeding diathesis, timely decision to remove the catheter based on standard guidelines can prevent complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first outbreak of B. cepacia-positive CRBSI reported in this specific subgroup of patients in North India. Conclusion: The opportunistic infection (B. cepacia) of central venous devices during chemotherapy being resistant to commonly used antibiotics could be an important factor in increasing morbidity and mortality in cancer patients.

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Background and Aims: Shivering is one of the causes of discomfort in patients undergoing surgeries under spinal anesthesia. A variety of drugs and physical methods are used to control shivering. Among pharmacological interventions ondansetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 antagonist has been found effective in controlling shivering. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of ondansetron for prevention of shivering during spinal anesthesia. Methods: A prospective, randomized, and double-blind study was conducted on 70 patients, from either gender, aged 20–60 years, of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade I or II, scheduled for various surgeries under spinal anesthesia. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 35 each to receive either saline (Group S) or ondansetron 8 mg, (Group O) as slow intravenous infusion before spinal anesthesia. The primary outcome of the study was intraoperative incidence of shivering. Secondary outcomes, such as hemodynamic parameters and adverse reactions, were recorded. Results: A total of 16 patients in Group S (45.7%) and 4 (11.3%) patients in Group O experienced shivering (P = 0.014). A total of 14 patients in Group S (40%) and five patients in Group O (14.3%) had nausea (P = 0.155). A total of 11 patients in Group S (31%) and three patients in Group O (8%) had hypotension (P = 0.168). No patients in either group experienced bradycardia. Conclusion: Prophylactic administration of ondansetron significantly reduced shivering in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia without significant side effects.

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Background and Aim: Physiology of the human body changes with aging making physicians more inclined toward the use of routine preoperative investigations in the elderly to detect hidden abnormalities. The present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of abnormal test results and their impact on anesthetic management among patients aged 60 years or more. Methods: This observational study was conducted during December 2016 to April 2017. Data were collected by prospectively screening the files of the patients attending preanesthetic evaluation clinic (PAEC). Demographic parameters, physical status, surgery grade, normal and different abnormal test results, and their impacts were noted. Data were expressed in absolute numbers, percentage scale, and number needed to investigate (NNI). Central tendencies and dispersions were calculated using INSTAT software. Results: Data from file of 181 patients (mean + standard deviation age 66.69 + 5.89 years; 82 [45.30%] female) were collected. The median American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status was II and 59.67% underwent National Institute of Clinical and Health Excellence Grade 1 surgery. Entire patient attended PAEC with routine investigations done; 125 (69.06%) had at least one abnormality. Out of total 1275 tests done, 241 (18.90%) results were abnormal. Only 27 (11.20%) abnormality had an impact; 21 (77.78%) did not alter preoperative/anesthetic management but led to further testing, unnecessary consultation, and mean 3.84 days delay. The NNI for detecting one significant impact was 255. Conclusion: Majority of the patients aged 60 years or more were having at least one abnormal test results in routine preoperative tests but had minimal impacts in perioperative anesthetic management. It caused unnecessary further testing, consultation, and delay. Age per se should not be a criterion for ordering routine preoperative testing. The clinical trial registration number was CTRI/2018/01/011235.

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Patients with a congenital single ventricular chamber, survives only because the systemic and pulmonary venous blood mixes. However such an arrangement has two major disadvantages of arterial desaturation and chronic volume overload to the single ventricle. In 1971, Francis Fontan from France, reported a new approach to the operative treatment of these malformations, separating the systemic and pulmonary circulations. The advancement of surgical techniques and medical management have resulted in greater than 90% survival rate of about 10 years after Fontan palliation. As a result, patients with Fontan physiology are increasingly presenting in the adult perioperative setting for various noncardiac surgeries. Understanding the Fontan physiology is essential for the successful anaesthetic management of these patients. We report a case of 22 year female with fontan physiology posted for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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Background: Drain tube is an integral part of proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA). It can lodge a sleek device such as bougie which can act as a guiding tool to advance and position the cuff. As an alternative to metal introducer tool (MIT), we compared the two techniques for ease of insertion score, various cuff positions and air leak encountered during insertion of PLMA under nonparalysed situation. Materials and Methods: Sixty anesthetized patients were divided into two groups using computer-based randomization. PLMA was inserted into either MIT or adult introducer bougie. The primary outcome was ease of insertion (Score 1–4), cuff positions defined by suprasternal notch test, gel displacement test, gastric tube passage test and air leak. Airway pressure, seal pressure, and complications encountered were the secondary outcome. Independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Ease of insertion score 4.0 was observed in 18 (60%) and 29 (96.6%) patients in MIT and AIB group, respectively. Comparing the two groups for the cuff positions, hypopharynx position was significantly higher in the AIB group (P = 0.001), whereas proximal and cuff fold positions were higher in the MIT group (P = 0.02). However, there was no difference for glottis position among the groups. The significantly higher air leak was observed in the MIT group (P = 0.01). Complications related to airway were more frequent in the MIT group. Conclusions: Bougie-guided advancement appears to be a preferred technique for inserting PLMA device in its appropriate position. With the discretionary power to provide an opportunity for effective ventilation, complications are markedly reduced with this technique.

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A term parturient with postcricoid growth presented with dysphagia. Elective cesarean section (CS) under general anesthesia (GA), after performing tracheostomy under local anesthesia (LA), followed by direct laryngoscopy-guided biopsy of the tumor and Ryle's tube insertion, was planned at single sitting. Four hours after admission, she developed tachypnea, desaturation, and fetal distress and had to be taken for emergency CS under spinal. After delivery, tracheostomy was done under LA, followed by biopsy of the growth and feeding jejunostomy under GA. The reasons behind choosing multiple anesthesia techniques in an emergency setting and the dilemma faced while opting for anesthetic technique are discussed.

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