METHODS: Forty-seven participants were recruited via convenient sampling during a RA workshop for novice practitioners. They were divided into the N or B group and then crossover to experience using both Blue Phantom and NeedleTrainer model. Time-to-reach-target, first-pass success rate, and complication rate were assessed, while the learning and confidence scores were rated using six-item and three-item questionnaires, respectively, via a 5-point Likert scale.
RESULTS: Blue Phantom model has a longer time-to-target as compared to the NeedleTrainer model (16 ± 8 vs 8 ± 3 s, p
Materials and methods: Eighty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either study drug infusion. Anxiety
score, level of sedation using the Bispectral Index and Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation, hemodynamic stability, and
overall patient’s feedback on anxiolysis were assessed.
Results: Both groups showed a significant drop in mean anxiety score at 10 and 30 min after starting surgery. Difference in median
anxiety scores showed a significant reduction in anxiety score at the end of the surgery in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the
propofol group. Dexmedetomidine and propofol showed a significant drop in mean arterial pressure in the first 30 min and first 10 min
respectively. Both drugs demonstrated a significant drop in heart rate in the first 20 min from baseline after starting the drug infusion.
Patients in the dexmedetomidine group (76.20%) expressed statistically excellent feedback on anxiolysis compared to patients in the
propofol group (45.20%).
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion was found to significantly reduce anxiety levels at the end of surgery compared to propofol
during regional anesthesia.
METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were systematically searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) from its inception until April 2020.
RESULTS: Six RCTs (n = 3139 patients) were included. In comparison to the GA alone, our meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the cancer recurrence rate in patients who received the adjunctive use of RA in the routine care of GA (3 studies, n = 2380 patients; odds ratio 0.93, 95%CI 0.63-1.39, ρ = 0.73, certainty of evidence = very low). Our review also showed no significant difference in cancer-related mortality (2 studies, n = 545; odds ratio 1.20, 95%CI 0.83-1.74, ρ = 0.33, certainty of evidence = low), all-cause mortality (3 studies, n = 2653; odds ratio 0.98, 95%CI 0.69-1.39, ρ = 0.89, certainty of evidence = low) and duration of cancer-free survival (2 studies, n = 659; mean difference 0.00 years, 95%CI -0.25-0.25, ρ = 1.00, certainty of evidence = high).
CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis concluded that the adjunctive use of RA in the routine care of GA did not reduce cancer recurrence rate in cancer resection surgery. However, this finding needs to be interpreted with caution due to low level of evidence, substantial heterogeneity and potential risk of bias across the included studies.
STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020171368.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide survey of all Malaysian optometry students using a standardised, self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS: All 129 optometry students participated in the survey, giving a 100% response rate. Overall, 26.4% and 29.5% of the students believed that patients undergoing cataract surgery under regional and topical anaesthesia, respectively, may experience no light perception, while 78.3% and 72.9%, respectively, thought that patients would experience light perception. Many respondents also believed that patients might experience a variety of other visual sensations. Of all respondents, 70.5% and 74.4% of students believed that patients undergoing cataract surgery under regional and topical anaesthesia, respectively, may be frightened by their visual experience and 93.0% and 85.3%, respectively, felt that preoperative counselling might help to alleviate this fear.
CONCLUSION: Many optometry students are aware that patients might encounter a variety of visual sensations during cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. A high proportion of students believe that patients may experience fear as a result of the intraoperative visual sensations and felt that preoperative counselling would be helpful.