Optimal Concentration of Sufentanil for Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia in Gastrectomy / 계명의대학술지

Patient controlled epidural anlagesia is a commonly used method for postoperative pain management. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal concentration of sufentanil for patient controlled epidural analgesia. Twenty eight patients who underwent elective gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 0.5 µg/mL (group S1) and 0.7 µg/mL (group S2). At 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days and 3 days after surgery, the patient's pain degree was checked by numerical rating scale (NRS) and the presence of side effects was assessed. In both groups, the NRS decreased linearly with time. The NRS of the two groups differed but the trend of decrease did not show significant difference. The overall incidence of side effects was 45.5% (group S1) and 58.8% (group S2), respectively. Patient controlled epidural analgesia using sufentanil was effective in controlling postoperative pain, which was found to decrease with time. When comparing the two concentrations used in this study, 0.5 µg/mL had a lower incidence of side effects than the concentration of 0.7 µg/mL, and the pain relief trends of the two concentrations were similar.

Analysis of Inadvertent Intradiscal Injections during Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Injection

BACKGROUND: Recently, there have been several case reports and retrospective studies about the incidence of intradiscal (ID) injection during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Inadvertent ID injection is not a rare complication, and it carries the risk of developing diskitis, although there has been no report of diskitis after TFESI. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of inadvertent ID injection during lumbar TFESI and analyzed the contributing factors. METHODS: Ten patients received 2-level TFESI, and the remaining 229 patients received 1-level TFESI. When successful TFESI was performed, 2 ml of contrast dye was injected under real-time fluoroscopy to check for any inadvertent ID spread. A musculoskeletal radiologist analyzed all magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients who demonstrated inadvertent ID injection. When reviewing MRIs, the intervertebral foramen level where ID injection occurred was carefully examined, and any anatomical structure which narrowing the foramen was identified. RESULTS: Among the 249 TFESI, we identified 6 ID injections; thus, there was an incidence of 2.4%. Four patients had isthmic spondylolisthesis, and the level of spondylolisthesis coincided with the level of ID injection. We further examined the right or left foramen of the spondylolisthesis level and identified the upward migrated disc material that was narrowing the foramen. CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent ID injection during TFESI is not infrequent, and pain physicians must pay close attention to the type and location of disc herniation.

Anaphylactic Shock Following Intravenous Injection of Cisatracurium and Sufentanil During Anesthesia Induction / 계명의대학술지

Anaphylaxis under general anesthesia is rare but can present as cardiovascular collapse, airway obstruction, and/or skin manifestation. A high level of suspicion is required for the recognition and prompt management and anaphylaxis can be diagnosed through clinical findings. The most common causes of anaphylaxis during general anesthesia are neuromuscular blocking agents, antibiotics, and latex. We present a case of anaphylactic shock following intravenous injection of cisatracurium and sufentanil. The patient was under anesthesia induction and within minutes after injection of these drugs, generalized erythema, bronchospasm, and severe hypotension developed. The Patient was managed with epinephrine, proper hydration, hydrocortisone, and pheniramine and the surgery was decided to be postponed. Subsequent surgery should be performed after conducting skin tests which can help identify the causal agents and determine alternative drugs. Anesthesiologists should be aware that not only expeditious diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis but also further evaluation in order to determine the safe method of subsequent anesthesia.