Total intravenous anaesthesia with tumescent infiltration anaesthesia without definitive airway for early excision and skin grafting in a major burn - A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with major burns posted for early tangential excision and skin grafting pose peculiar challenges for anaesthesiologists. The purpose of the study was to assess safety and efficacy of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with tumescent infiltration anaesthesia (TIA) for these burn procedures. METHODS: This observational single-arm study was conducted on 48 cases of a tertiary centre burn unit, requiring early tangential excision and skin grafting between third and fifth days of burn injury. TIVA was administered using a combination of intravenous (iv) infusion of injection dexmedetomidine and iv boluses of fentanyl, ketamine, propofol, midazolam and paracetamol. TIA was administered in burn wounds after aseptic preparation. Spontaneous breathing was maintained with oxygen supplementation. Haemodynamic and respiratory monitoring was done intraoperatively every 15 minutes and for 6 hours postoperatively. Modified Aldrete's score was calculated at 10 minutes after completion of surgery. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social science software (version 16). Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Baseline mean HR was 106.95 ± 11.17 bpm (beats per minute). HR settled at 73.17 ± 6.97 bpm during the intraoperative period. The baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 82.42 ± 10.04 mmHg was maintained at 81 ± 7.32 mmHg during the intraoperative period. In all, 95.8% achieved early recovery with mean modified Aldrete's score of ≥9 at 10 minutes post-surgery. There was no episode of apnoea or desaturation. CONCLUSION: TIVA in combination with TIA minimally interferes with homeostasis and promotes early recovery in patients undergoing early excision and grafting in major burns.