General anesthesia for an adolescent with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: A case report

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a progressive and degenerative chromosomal disorder of the central nervous system caused by defective myelin production. Few case reports have been issued on the anesthetic management of PMD, because of its extremely low incidence. We anesthetized a 13-year-old female patient diagnosed with PMD for ophthalmic surgery because of intermittent exotropia. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and sevoflurane in air and oxygen. Rocuronium was administered to facilitate orotracheal intubation, and residual neuromuscular blockage was reversed with pyridostigmine. Between emergence to 24 hours postoperatively, her muscle power completely recovered and no unpredictable events occurred. Summarizing, anesthesiologists should be concerned about the high possibility of aspiration, spasticity, and seizure during the perioperative period in patients with even mild PMD. Appropriate preoperative evaluation, intraoperative monitoring, and choice of proper anesthetic drugs enable safe anesthesia in patients with PMD.

Comparison of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing lung surgery / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND@#The type and regimen of anesthesia may affect perioperative hyperglycemia following major surgical stress. This study compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the incidence of hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.@*METHODS@#This retrospective study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had undergone lung surgery. Blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes from the preoperative period to the first 2 postoperative days (PODs) were retrospectively examined in patients who received sevoflurane (group S, n= 87) and propofol (group P, n=89) for maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia (2 consecutive blood glucose levels > 180 mg/dL [10.0 mmol/L]) during the perioperative period. The secondary composite endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate after surgery.@*RESULTS@#Blood glucose levels similarly increased from the preoperative period to the second POD in both groups (p=0.857). Although blood glucose levels at 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in group P than in group S (p=0.022; 95% confidence interval for mean difference, −27.154 to −2.090), there was no difference in the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia during the perioperative period (group S, 70%; group P, 69%; p=0.816). The composite of major postoperative complications and all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were also comparable between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Sevoflurane and propofol were associated with a comparable incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block at 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae using the lateral paracarotid out-of-plane approach for sympathetic blockade in the upper extremity / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND@#The authors have performed ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) in our clinic using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 6th cervical vertebra (C6). Although SGB at C6 is a convenient and safe method, there are ongoing concerns about the weak effect of sympathetic blockade in the ipsilateral upper extremity. Therefore, ultrasound-guided SGB was attempted using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). This prospective study aimed to compare changes in skin temperature after SGB was performed at C6 and C7, and to introduce a lateral paracarotid approach for SGB.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients underwent SGB twice: once at C6 and once at C7. For every SGB, the skin temperature of the patient's hypothenar area was measured for 15 min at 1-min intervals. Skin temperatures before and after SGB and side effects were compared between C6 and C7 groups.@*RESULTS@#The temperature of the upper extremity increased after SGB was performed at C6 and C7. There were significant differences between mean pre-SGB and the largest increases in post-SGB temperatures (0.50±0.38℃ and 1.41±0.68℃ at C6 and C7, respectively; p 1℃) were found in 5/30 (16.7%) and 24/30 (80%) cases for C6 and C7, respectively (p 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The lateral paracarotid approach using out-of-plane needle insertion for ultrasound-guided SGB performed at C7 was feasible and more effective at elevating skin temperature in the upper extremity than SGB at C6.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block at 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae using the lateral paracarotid out-of-plane approach for sympathetic blockade in the upper extremity / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: The authors have performed ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) in our clinic using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 6th cervical vertebra (C6). Although SGB at C6 is a convenient and safe method, there are ongoing concerns about the weak effect of sympathetic blockade in the ipsilateral upper extremity. Therefore, ultrasound-guided SGB was attempted using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). This prospective study aimed to compare changes in skin temperature after SGB was performed at C6 and C7, and to introduce a lateral paracarotid approach for SGB.METHODS: Thirty patients underwent SGB twice: once at C6 and once at C7. For every SGB, the skin temperature of the patient's hypothenar area was measured for 15 min at 1-min intervals. Skin temperatures before and after SGB and side effects were compared between C6 and C7 groups.RESULTS: The temperature of the upper extremity increased after SGB was performed at C6 and C7. There were significant differences between mean pre-SGB and the largest increases in post-SGB temperatures (0.50±0.38℃ and 1.41±0.68℃ at C6 and C7, respectively; p < 0.05). Significantly increased post-SGB temperatures (difference >1℃) were found in 5/30 (16.7%) and 24/30 (80%) cases for C6 and C7, respectively (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in side effects between SGB performed at C6 or C7 (p>0.05).CONCLUSION: The lateral paracarotid approach using out-of-plane needle insertion for ultrasound-guided SGB performed at C7 was feasible and more effective at elevating skin temperature in the upper extremity than SGB at C6.

Comparison of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing lung surgery / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: The type and regimen of anesthesia may affect perioperative hyperglycemia following major surgical stress. This study compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the incidence of hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.METHODS: This retrospective study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had undergone lung surgery. Blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes from the preoperative period to the first 2 postoperative days (PODs) were retrospectively examined in patients who received sevoflurane (group S, n= 87) and propofol (group P, n=89) for maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia (2 consecutive blood glucose levels > 180 mg/dL [10.0 mmol/L]) during the perioperative period. The secondary composite endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate after surgery.RESULTS: Blood glucose levels similarly increased from the preoperative period to the second POD in both groups (p=0.857). Although blood glucose levels at 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in group P than in group S (p=0.022; 95% confidence interval for mean difference, −27.154 to −2.090), there was no difference in the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia during the perioperative period (group S, 70%; group P, 69%; p=0.816). The composite of major postoperative complications and all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were also comparable between the two groups.CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane and propofol were associated with a comparable incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.

Anaphylaxis to topical bovine thrombin used for hemostasis during surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus: A case report

Anaphylaxis is a type I allergic reaction and its clinical features occur after re-exposure to the same allergen. Numerous types of drugs can cause anaphylaxis during general anesthesia. Topical bovine thrombin (TBT) is usually used for hemostasis during surgery. However, TBT can cause interruption of the normal blood coagulation pathways, delay wound repair, and lead to uncontrolled bleeding, anaphylaxis, or death. Anaphylaxis caused by TBT during the perioperative period is very rare. We report the case of a patient who developed severe hypotension, tachycardia, and bronchospasm while undergoing discectomy for herniated nucleus pulposus. Based on the symptoms and signs, anaphylaxis was considered most likely. Identification of the causative agents is important in these cases because it can be very helpful for the management and prevention of anaphylaxis.

Unusual excessive sweating and hypothermia during hysterectomy under general anesthesia: A case report

A 78-year-old female patient was undergone general anesthesia for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy. Arterial blood pressure dropped 20 minutes after beginning of the surgery when uterine manipulation was started. From then, excessive sweating was found in the face and whole body and core temperature decreased to 34.3degrees C. Sweating and low body temperature were sustained despite of various aggressive warming efforts. Anticholinergic medication immediately put an end to an hour of excessive sweating and prevented further body temperature decline. Several possibilities of excessive sweating were discussed in this case: uterine manipulation during the light plane of general anesthesia, age related autonomic changes, use of intraoperative opioid and antihypertensive medications.