Clinical trials

The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms in predicting difficult airways in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Preoperative airway assessments, including the Upper Lip Bite Test (UBLT), Mallampati score, Body Mass Index (BMI), thyromental distance (TMD), and sternomental distance (SMD), will be recorded. The study investigates whether AI models can provide higher sensitivity and specificity in predicting difficult intubation compared to traditional clinical scoring systems in the obese patient population.

This prospective randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of a QR code-based digital information video on knowledge level and anxiety among family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving routine verbal information or an intervention group receiving routine verbal information plus access to a standardized QR code-based educational video. Knowledge level, anxiety, and satisfaction with information will be assessed at baseline, within 24 hours after the intervention, and 72 hours later. The study will determine whether digital video-based information improves understanding of the ICU environment and reduces anxiety among family members.

This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of verbal and video-based preoperative education on anxiety levels and serum cortisol response in women scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard verbal education or a standardized video-based educational intervention before surgery. Anxiety levels will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and serum cortisol levels will be measured before and after the educational intervention. The primary objective is to compare the effectiveness of the two educational methods in reducing preoperative anxiety and physiological stress response.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of QR code-based video-supported anesthesia information on preoperative anxiety, comprehensibility of information, and patient satisfaction in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a control group receiving standard written informed consent and routine verbal anesthesia information or an intervention group receiving the same standard information plus a standardized video-based educational intervention accessed through a QR code. The primary outcome is the change in the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) anxiety score before and after the information process. Secondary outcomes include comprehensibility of information and patient satisfaction assessed using a structured Likert-type questionnaire. The findings may contribute to the standardization of patient information processes in anesthesia outpatient clinics through a low-cost and easily implementable digital educational approach.

Postoperative delirium is a common and serious complication in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery and is associated with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and higher healthcare costs. Preoperative psychological distress has been suggested as a potential risk factor influencing postoperative outcomes; however, its relationship with delirium and other clinical outcomes remains insufficiently explored. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the association between preoperative distress levels and postoperative delirium, pain intensity, and length of hospital stay in elderly patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. Preoperative distress will be assessed using validated tools, and postoperative outcomes including delirium incidence, pain scores, and hospital stay duration will be recorded and analyzed. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to improved perioperative risk stratification and may support the development of targeted interventions to reduce postoperative complications in this vulnerable patient population.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in persistent health problems in a significant proportion of individuals after recovery from the acute infection. These long-term manifestations, commonly referred to as post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID, may involve respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, and general health domains. Understanding these sequelae is particularly important in patients undergoing preoperative anesthesia evaluation, as residual symptoms may influence perioperative risk assessment and clinical decision-making. This cross-sectional observational study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical and health effects of previous COVID-19 infection in adult patients presenting to the preoperative anesthesia clinic. Patients aged 18 years and older who report a history of confirmed COVID-19 infection will be included. Clinical data related to the acute infection period (disease severity, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, oxygen therapy, and radiological findings) will be retrospectively obtained from hospital records. At the time of preoperative assessment, participants will complete a structured post-COVID-19 clinical questionnaire to evaluate persistent symptoms across multiple organ systems. The study seeks to determine the prevalence and characteristics of long-term post-COVID-19 symptoms and to explore potential associations between acute disease severity and ongoing health complaints. No additional medical intervention will be performed as part of this research.

This prospective, observational, non-interventional study aims to evaluate the effect of gestational weight gain on regional anesthesia characteristics in pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean delivery. No additional intervention, medication, or procedure beyond routine clinical care will be performed. Participants will be classified according to gestational weight gain categories based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2009 guidelines, and spinal anesthesia block characteristics, hemodynamic responses, and perioperative outcomes will be assessed.

Preoperative anxiety is a common problem in patients undergoing elective cesarean section and may negatively affect perioperative outcomes through activation of the stress response, including increased cortisol levels. Effective preoperative information is considered a key non-pharmacological strategy to reduce anxiety; however, the optimal method of information delivery remains unclear. This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of video-based versus verbal preoperative information on anxiety levels and serum cortisol response in patients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Anxiety will be assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and serum cortisol levels will be measured before and after the intervention. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for improving patient-centered preoperative education strategies in obstetric anesthesia."

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between systemic inflammatory parameters, thyroid autoimmunity markers, and neuroretinal structures in patients with Graves disease. Medical records of patients diagnosed with Graves disease and healthy control subjects evaluated at Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital between August 2018 and January 2026 will be reviewed. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements, including macular thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, will be analyzed. Laboratory parameters such as complete blood count-derived inflammatory indices, C-reactive protein, thyroid function tests, and thyroid autoantibodies will also be recorded. The study will compare neuroretinal parameters between healthy controls, Graves disease patients without ophthalmopathy, and Graves disease patients with ophthalmopathy, and will investigate potential associations between systemic inflammation, thyroid autoimmunity, and neuroretinal structural changes.

Decisions regarding tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequently associated with substantial uncertainty, decisional conflict, and psychosocial burden among patients' relatives. Inadequate or non-tailored information may negatively influence anxiety levels, decision satisfaction, and subsequent adaptation to care responsibilities. Differences in communication patterns and educational background may further affect how families perceive the risks, benefits, and long-term implications of these procedures. This prospective study aims to evaluate the impact of relatives' educational level and different information delivery methods on anxiety, decision satisfaction, and the overall decision-making process related to tracheostomy and PEG in the ICU setting. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of structured, education-level-tailored information strategies to improve shared decision-making and family-centered care in critical care practice.

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the incidence and determinants of joint contracture development in mechanically ventilated adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Prolonged immobilization, deep sedation, and neuromuscular blockade are common in critically ill patients and may contribute to musculoskeletal complications, including joint contractures, which can adversely affect functional outcomes and rehabilitation after ICU discharge. Adult patients who are mechanically ventilated, immobilized, and have impaired consciousness will be consecutively enrolled and followed during their ICU stay. Joint range of motion will be assessed using standardized passive range of motion (PROM) measurements performed with a goniometer at predefined intervals by trained assessors. Joint contracture will be defined as a reduction of at least 33% in passive joint range of motion compared with normal reference values. This study is non-interventional, and all patients will receive routine ICU care and standard physiotherapy according to institutional protocols. No additional procedures or interventions will be applied for research purposes. Demographic characteristics, clinical variables, and ICU-related factors will be recorded to explore potential associations with contracture development. The findings of this study are expected to provide prospective data on the burden of joint contractures in mechanically ventilated ICU patients and to identify modifiable risk factors that may inform future preventive and rehabilitative strategies in critical care practice.

Study Design This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of two regional anesthesia techniques, Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and Retrolaminar Block (RLB), on postoperative recovery quality in women undergoing elective cesarean section (CS). Postoperative pain after CS is common, particularly in the first 24-72 hours, and can affect mobility, breastfeeding, and overall well-being. Effective pain management is therefore critical for both patient comfort and maternal-infant bonding. Participants and Methods Medical records of adult women aged 18-45 years, with a singleton pregnancy at ≥37 weeks, who underwent elective CS under spinal anesthesia in our clinic, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had received either ESP or RLB immediately after surgery were included. Both blocks had been performed under ultrasound guidance at the T9 level using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, according to institutional practice. Standard perioperative care and analgesia protocols were applied to all patients. Outcomes The primary outcome was postoperative recovery quality, assessed 24 hours after surgery using the Turkish version of the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery Score (ObsQoR-11T), a validated tool addressing physical, emotional, and functional aspects of recovery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), opioid consumption, adverse events, and patient satisfaction, as documented in patient files. Conclusion This retrospective study will provide evidence on which block technique more effectively improves recovery quality after CS and may help optimize postoperative analgesia strategies in Turkish obstetric populations.

The purpose of this prospective, observational study is to evaluate the effect of retrolaminar block (RLB) on patient comfort and analgesic effectiveness during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) procedures. The main questions the study aims to answer are: Does retrolaminar block reduce pain intensity during ESWL? Does retrolaminar block improve patient comfort during ESWL? Participants will undergo the following interventions: RLB Group: Retrolaminar block performed under ultrasound guidance prior to ESWL. Sedation Group (S): Standard sedoanalgesia administered. Control Group (C): No additional regional block or sedoanalgesia applied. Participants will be monitored for pain levels, procedural duration, hemodynamic parameters, and the need for additional analgesics. The study aims to determine whether retrolaminar block can serve as a safe and effective analgesic method during ESWL procedures.

This prospective clinical study aims to evaluate the effect of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block on postoperative gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Gastrointestinal recovery plays a crucial role in patient outcomes after bariatric surgery, and regional anesthesia techniques such as TAP block have been suggested to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption, which may influence gut motility. In this study, postoperative gastrointestinal function will be assessed using the validated Patient-Reported Outcome for Dysfunctional Gastrointestinal Motility (PRO-diGI) scale. Additionally, gastric ultrasound will be performed to calculate the Perlas score as an objective marker of gastric emptying and residual volume. These assessments will allow a comprehensive evaluation of both subjective and objective gastrointestinal recovery parameters. The study will include adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital. Participants will receive standard general anesthesia with or without ultrasound-guided TAP block, and their postoperative recovery will be monitored. Primary outcomes include PRO-diGI scores at defined postoperative intervals, while secondary outcomes include Perlas scores obtained via gastric ultrasonography. The findings from this research are expected to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of TAP block on gastrointestinal motility and overall recovery after bariatric surgery.

Laminectomy surgeries, typically performed for lumbar disc herniation and spinal disorders, are often lengthy surgical procedures requiring patients to be in the prone position. While this position provides better visibility of the surgical field, it can lead to physiological changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in anesthetized patients. An increase in IOP, though rare, has the potential to cause severe ocular complications such as postoperative vision loss (POVL), which is one of the most feared complications after spinal surgery. One of the main mechanisms of IOP elevation in the prone position is the impediment of venous return in the head and neck region due to gravity, leading to an increase in episcleral venous pressure. Additionally, direct mechanical pressure on the face and globe can also increase IOP. Anesthesia management can also play a role in IOP dynamics by affecting intrathoracic pressure and venous return. This complex interaction necessitates careful monitoring of eye health in anesthetized patients in the prone position. Non-contact tonometers offer a non-invasive, rapid, and reliable method for IOP measurement. They are particularly advantageous for repeated measurements in anesthetized patients. This clinical study aims to evaluate changes in IOP using a non-contact tonometer in patients undergoing laminectomy in the prone position and to identify anesthesia- and patient-related factors influencing these changes. The data obtained will contribute to the development of anesthesia and positioning strategies aimed at reducing the risk of ocular complications.