Transient unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation in elderly patient with the abdominal surgery: A case report

Vocal cord paralysis is one of the most serious complications, which, in most situations, is preventable, associated with tracheal intubation. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis following tracheal intubation usually causes hoarseness. Postoperative vocal cord paralysis may be due to mechanical or neurogenic factors. The patient complained of hoarseness one day after operation and coughing on swallowing water ten days after operation. The vocal cords were examined with a fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and the right vocal cord was fixed in the paramedian position. We present a case of unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation in a 71-year-old male patient with descending colon carcinoma and left renal cell carcinoma.

Airway fire injury during rigid bronchoscopy in a patient with a silicon stent: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Therapeutic bronchoscopy is widely employed as an effective first-line treatment for patients with central airway obstructions. Airway fires during rigid bronchoscopy are rare, but can have potentially devastating consequences. Pulmonologist and anesthesiologist undertaking this type of procedure should be aware of this serious problem and be familiar with measures to avoid this possibly fatal complication. We report the case of a 24-year-old patient with a silicone stent who experienced an electrocautery-induced airway fire during rigid bronchoscopy.

The accidental renal artery embolism in patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease with unilateral renal atrophy during aortobifemoral bypass graft: A case report

Aortoiliac occlusive disease occurs commonly in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Aortofemoral bypass is the most common surgical procedure to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease. Intraoperative renal artery embolism is rare complication that may occur during aortofemoral bypass in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease. It is very important to prevent the risk of subsequent renal artery thrombotic or atheromatous embolism during aortofemoral bypass in patients with juxtarenal aortic occlusion because of accidentally dislodging fragments or atheromatous emboli into the renal arteries. Emboli to one or more major renal arteries are an occasional cause of renal failure. We report a case of renal artery embolism in patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease and unilateral renal atrophy during aortobifemoral bypass graft.

The two stage flexible fiberoptic bronchoscoptic awake intubation in a patient with the symptomatic vallecular cyst: A case report

Large symptomatic vallecular cyst is rare, but may cause difficulty or inability in conventional tracheal intubation during induction of general anesthesia. A flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is the most useful general purpose aid to awake intubation in the patient with a known difficult airway. We experienced a case of flexible video image fiberoptic bronchoscopic awake orotracheal intubation in a patient with the large symptomatic vallecular cyst. A 35-year-old male suffered from foreign body sensation, voice change and dyspnea one month after upper respiratory tract infection. The two step flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic approach was performed in the management of a known difficult intubation due to a vallecular cyst. We had an uneventful general anesthesia for removal of large symptomatic vallecular cyst because we anticipated difficult intubation.

The two stage flexible fiberoptic bronchoscoptic awake intubation in a patient with the symptomatic vallecular cyst: A case report

Large symptomatic vallecular cyst is rare, but may cause difficulty or inability in conventional tracheal intubation during induction of general anesthesia. A flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is the most useful general purpose aid to awake intubation in the patient with a known difficult airway. We experienced a case of flexible video image fiberoptic bronchoscopic awake orotracheal intubation in a patient with the large symptomatic vallecular cyst. A 35-year-old male suffered from foreign body sensation, voice change and dyspnea one month after upper respiratory tract infection. The two step flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic approach was performed in the management of a known difficult intubation due to a vallecular cyst. We had an uneventful general anesthesia for removal of large symptomatic vallecular cyst because we anticipated difficult intubation.

Ileus after ketamine anesthesia in pediatric patient : A case report

Ketamine is a rapidly acting dissociative anesthetic that can be administered as a sole agent, an induction agent, or a supplement to low potency anesthetic agents.It is usually used for the minor surgery or outpatient surgery in pediatric anesthesia because of the undesirable psychotomimetic side effects of ketamine are less common in the children. We report that a pediatric patient had experienced a profound paralytic ileus after ventilation tube insertion with ketamine anesthesia.

Ileus after ketamine anesthesia in pediatric patient : A case report

Ketamine is a rapidly acting dissociative anesthetic that can be administered as a sole agent, an induction agent, or a supplement to low potency anesthetic agents.It is usually used for the minor surgery or outpatient surgery in pediatric anesthesia because of the undesirable psychotomimetic side effects of ketamine are less common in the children. We report that a pediatric patient had experienced a profound paralytic ileus after ventilation tube insertion with ketamine anesthesia.

Refractory Hypotension after Anesthesia Induction in a Patient with Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy and Chronic Renal Failure: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Patients with diabetes or chronic renal failure may develop profound hypotension after anesthesia induction. In a patient with chronic renal failure, inappropriate dialysis may aggravate the hypotension. Combined autonomic neuropathy in diabetes mellitus is the main cause of the undesirable changes in blood pressure after anesthesia induction. We report a case of hypotension refractory to fluid replacement and inotropes in a patient with chronic renal failure for 10 years and diabetes mellitus for 5 years. The patient received hemodialysis on the day before surgery and had developed various symptoms suggestive of autonomic neuropathy (i.e., dizziness on standing, esophageal spasm, intermittent diarrhea).

Multiple Thoracic Metastasis Misrecognized as a Complication after Epidural Block : A case report

We report here on a case of a patient who developed paraplegia after thoracic epidural block that was done for the management of postherpetic neuralgia, and the patient was later diagnosed with spine metastasis from prostate cancer. This patient developed paraplegia of both lower extremities 2 weeks after the epidural block. We took X-ray and performed MRI of the thoracic spine for the differential diagnosis of paraplegia associated with herpes zoster, complications of epidural block or other diseases. The diagnosis of the paraplegia was spinal cord compression at T8, and this was caused by metastatic tumor that originated from prostate cancer. When we encounter paraplegia after epidural block, we should also consider other diseases as well as the complications of epidural block like direct neural damage, abscess and hematoma. Especially when there is the possibility of cancer, early detection, an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment can provide the best chance to ameliorate further medical consequences and optimize the quality of life.

Cerebral Infarction following Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty in Geriatric Patient : A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Perioperative cerebral infarction is uncommon and its mechanism is often uncertain. This is a report of an unusual case of acute cerebral infarction following general anesthesia. The patient was a 83-year-old female admitted for total hip replacement arthroplasty (THRA). There were no previous cerebro- and cardio-vascular symptoms and history. During introduced general anesthesia with sevoflurane, there was a persistent low systolic BP of 80-100 mmHg (preoperative BP was 140/85 mmHg). On emerging from anesthesia, confusion and dense right hemiparesis were observed. Emergency CT brain scan showed early cerebral infarction in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Even though prompt supportive neurosurgical intensive care was initiated, the patient died at postoperative 4 days.

The Metastatic Sacrococcygeal Tumor from Adenocarcinoma of Lung Recognized after the Caudal Anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

The caudal block has been used as an alternative to general anesthesia in specific circumstances such as anal surgery, perineal surgery or surgery of lower extremity etc. It has been also used as an adjunct to general anesthesia, administered at the completion of surgery to provide postoperative analgesia especially in children. But, it has variable complications such as generalized intoxication, pain on the injection site, infection or urinary retention etc. We report an unusual case of metastatic sacrococcygeal tumor from adenocarcinoma of lung presenting as severe anal pain and sciatica which was aggravated after the trial of caudal anesthesia.

The Epidural and Psoas Abscess Recognized after Lumbar Epidural Block: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Epidural block is widely used for the diagnosis and treatment of the acute and chronic pain in pain clinic. But, it has several complications like as headache, spinal injury, epidural hematoma and infection including epidural abscess, meningitis and osteomyelitis. Among them, the simultaneous occurrence of psoas and epidural abscesses is extremely rare. We report a patient diagnosed as epidural and psoas absesses one month after lumbar epidural block and treated successfully with surgical decompression and drainage.

Neural Stem Cell Harvest and Culture using the High Speed Centrifugation from Rat Brain / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: During recent two decades of crucial revision of some cornerstone concepts has opened new horizons in neurosciences. Modern basic viewpoints include the idea of high CNS plasticity which means not only rearrangement of neurons and their interconnections, but also the formation of new neural cells in humans and animals during their whole life span. The purpose of this study is to harvest neural stem cell from the adult rat brain using the high speed centrifugation method and study the characteristics of these cell. METHODS: 60 rats (Fisher 344, 150-160 g) brain were saved under inhalation anesthesia and dissect the subventricular zone under the microscope. The brain tissue was digested with enzyme to make a cell suspension. The cell suspension was processed high speed centrifugation to separate the neural stem/progenitor cells according to the buoyancy. After 2 weeks culture, immuno-staining (O4, GFAP, Nestin, beta-tubulin III and DAPI) were performed and replated the cultured cells. RESULTS: The 2 weeks culture cells were positive 92.8% in Nestin, 91.5% in O4 and 87.6% in Gal-C. But only positive 1.4% in beta-tubulin III and 5.5% in GFAP. And replated cell culture shows similar results compared to the primary culture. CONCLUSIONS: With this high speed centrifugation method, authors can harvest neural stem/progenitor cells from the adult rat brain. Although we have many limitations using these cell in clinical trial, but we can afford to next step on neural stem cell research.

Intracardiac Knotting of a Balloon-tipped, Flow-directed Pulmonary Artery Catheter: A Case Report / 대한구급학회지

The occurrence of knots and loops is a potential hazard of a balloon-tipped, flow-directed pulmonary artery (PA) catheter placement if excessive catheter length is passed into the right atrium or ventricle. Knotting of a balloon-tipped, flow-directed PA catheter leading to difficulty in its removal is a rare but serious complication. A case of knotted catheter in right atrium in a patient undergoing aortic valve replacement is presented. By passing a spring guidewire into PA catheter, we have untied the loose knotted catheter under simple fluoroscopic guidance in the intensive care unit.

Comparison of Tidal Volume Breathing and Deep Breathing Preoxygenation Techniques for a Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Preoxygenation is routine prior to rapid sequence induction of general anesthesia for a cesarean section. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoxygenation techniques of tidal volume breathing (TVB) and deep breathing (DB) for a cesarean section. METHODS: One hundred twenty ASA I and II patients scheduled for a cesarean section under general anesthesia participated in the study. Preoxygenation was performed with 5, 7, and 10 L/min 100% oxygen. The following techniques were tested: 1) normal TVB for a 5-min period (TVB/5 min) and 2) DB for a 2-min period (4 DB/0.5 min, 8 DB/min, 12 DB/1.5 min and 16 DB/2 min). Inspired (FIO2) and end-tidal oxygen fraction (FETO2), end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (ETCO2) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured at 0.5-min intervals. RESULTS: During TVB, FETO2 increased rapidly between 0.5 and 3.5 min and plateaued by 3.5 min at 78.5%, 83.3% and 90.8% with 5, 7 and 10 L/min 100% oxygen, respectively. Four DB/0.5 min increased FETO2 to 64.7%, 67.2% and 72.3% at 5, 7, and 10 L/min 100% oxygen, respectively. As compared with four DB/0.5 min, the values of FETO2 with TVB/1.5 min and TVB/2 min were high at 7, 10 and 5 L/min 100% oxygen. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that TVB/2 min was more effective than four DB/0.5 min in achieving preoxygenation but eight DB/min could be used in case of an emergent operation.

The Analgesic Effect of Combined Infusions of Morphine and Ketamine Using an Intravenous PCA after a Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is known to have analgesic properties in subanesthetic doses and has been used as an analgesic in the postoperative period by variable routes. The effect of adding ketamine to analgesia using intravenous PCA morphine was evaluated in 90 women after cesarean section. METHODS: Ninety parturients were randomly allocated to three groups and each group had 30 women. The parturients in group 1 were given analgesics of morphine only, group 2 were given analgesics of the 2 : 1 mixture of morphine and ketamine, and group 3 were given analgesics of the 1 : 1 mixture of morphine and ketamine. We evaluated the analgesic requirement, numerical rating pain score, side effects and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The morphine requirement in group 3 was significantly lower than that in groups 1 and 2 at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The pain score in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 at 3 and 6 hours and the pain score in group 3 was lowest of all groups at 3 and 6 hours. The incidence of dizziness was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that adding ketamine with morphine in using an intravenous PCA can decrease analgesic requirements and improve analgesic property.

Effect of Midazolam, Fentanyl and Propofol for Intravenous Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing the Cardioversion / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Elective cardioversion is a short procedure performed under amnesia, sedation or anesthesia for the treatment of cardiac dysrhythmia. Midazolam, fentanyl and propofol on hemodynamic changes and side effects were studied. METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for an elective cardioversion in the coronary care unit received propofol 500microgram/kg I.V., followed by a continuous infusion with 25 75microgram/kg/min until they lost consciousness as determined by cessation of response to verbal command. All patients received midazolam 0.02 mg/kg and fentanyl 2microgram/kg I.V. 5 minutes before induction. In addition, the cardiologist administrated the electric shock. Blood pressures and heart rates were measured prior to induction, after the administration of midazolam and fentanyl, after cardioversion, 5 minutes after cardioversion and recovery. The recovery time from terminating drug administration to awakening, and the total dose of propofol were recorded. Patients were observed for side effects. RESULTS: Systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased 5 minutes after cardioversion and recovery. Heart rates were significantly decreased after cardioversion, 5 minutes after cardioversion and recovery. Recovery times were 22.1 14.9 minutes and the total dose of propofol was 0.79 0.39 mg/kg. Incidence of apnea (> 30 s) was 30%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that midazolam, fentanyl and propofol in patients undergoing an electric cardioversion decreased blood pressure and heart rate, but the cardiovascular status was maintained within clinically acceptable levels.

Estimate of the Degree of Difficulty in Endotracheal Intubation in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation may be difficult in many patients with sleep apnea syndrome because of anatomical abnormalities in their upper airway. METHODS: For 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, we evaluated two classifications; Samsoon-Young and Cormack-Lehane, and five airway examinations; interincisors' distance on mouth opening (DI), angle on cervico-occipital extension (ACO), thyromental distance (TD), and existence of edentulous with atrophic mandible and prominent maxillary incisor. RESULTS: 20 patients (67%) belonged to class III or IV according to the Samsoon-Young classification and 22 patients (73%) to grade III or IV according to the Cormack-Lehane classification. The incidence rate for DI less than 40 mm, ACO less than 160o, TD less than 60 mm, atrophic mandible and prominent maxillary incisor were 30%, 37%, 50%, 13% and 27% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, we concluded that most patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are difficult for anesthesiologists to intubate. Therefore, we suggest that anesthesiologists must prepare variable methods for ventilation if there is any suspicion of difficult intubation in those patients.

The Comparison of Buccal SpO2 and Finger SpO2 Accuracy in Patients with Moderate Defect in Pulmonary Function Test / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The reliability of pulse oxymetry probes when applied to the finger or toes may be compromised in certain patients. Other sites less subject to mechanical interference or a pathophysiologic decrease in pulse amplitude have been sought. In the patients with moderate defect (N=20) in pulmonary function test, we examined the accuracy of buccal and digital SpO2 (oxygen saturation of pulse oxymetry) monitoring. METHODS: SpO2 probe was placed firmly in the corner of the patient's mouth. Buccal and finger SpO2 and radial SaO2 (arterial oxygen saturation) were measured before the induction of anesthesia. The agreement between SaO2 and each SpO2 were calculated with the method outlined by Bland and Altman. RESULTS: Buccal SpO2 was higher than finger SpO2, but finger SpO2 agreed more closely with SaO2 (buccal; 97.9+/-1.89, finger; 94.5+/-2.48, radial; 93.73+/-2.73%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that buccal SpO2 monitoring may offer alternative when other sites aren't available. But, we suggest that buccal SpO2 should be further evaluated for the accuracy.

The Effects of Intralipos Pretreatment on the Cardiovascular Toxicity of Bupivacaine in Rabbits / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with intralipos on the cardiovascular toxicity caused by continuous intravenous infusion with bupivacaine. METHODS: Fourteen healthy white rabbits were selected for this study and divided into the control group (n = 7) (normal saline administered for 30 minutes) and the intralipos pretreated group (n = 7) (intralipos administered for 30 minutes). The cardiovascular toxic effect during the continuous intravenous infusion of bupivacaine was observed between the control and the intralipos group by meaning the changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram. RESULTS: In intralipos group, mean arterial pressure significantly increased after intralipos infusion for 30 minutes as compared with the control values (P < 0.05). The time intervals for 25, 50, 75 and 100% decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate and the onset time of the first QRS modification and dysrhythmia during continuous intravenous infusion of bupivacaine were significantly prolonged in the intralipos group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The time intervals for 100% decrease in heart rate after the stop of bupivacaine administration was significantly prolonged in the intralipos group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that prophylactic intravenous infusion with intralipos prevents the cardiovascular toxicity caused by bupivacaine in rabbits.