What is the Optimal Angle of Needle Insertion in Korean Young Adult Male during Paramedian Spinal Puncture? A Radiological Study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The object of this study is to offer the optimal angle of needle insertion during L3-L4 paramedian approach using simple X-ray. METHODS: Twenty-five male patients were enrolled for this study. After placing a radio-opaque material (RO) on the point 1cm lateral and 1cm caudad to inferior edge of L3 spinous process in the sitting-flexion position, simple AP X-ray films in erect position and lateral films in sitting-flexion position were taken. The distance from RO (I) to the midline of vertebral column was measured on the AP film. On the lateral film, the optimal target point (T) was determined. When the real RO (I) appeared on lateral film, the point was named I'. The line perpendicular to the line tangential to skin on I' was drawn to the vertebral body. When another line perpendicular to that line was drawn from the target point (T), the two lines meet perpendicularly at the point C. Two triangles can be formed three-dimensionally with T, I', C and T, I, C. Medial insertion angle (alpha, angle I-C-I') and cephalad insertion angle (beta, angle T-I-C) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean angle of alpha was 10.7 +/- 2.3degrees and beta was 13.9 +/- 5.0degrees. The insertion based on the calculated angles was successfully achieved at the first trial in 24 patients and at the second in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia with L3-L4 paramedian approach can be successfully performed using calculated angles measured by simple X-rays.

An Experience of Right Pneumonectomy in a Lung Cancer Patient with Poor Pulmonary Function Test within the Conventional Criteria of Contraindication to Surgery: Intraoperative Re-evaluation of Pulmonary Function: A case report / 대한구급학회지

Usually FEV1 lower than 1 liter is considered as a contraindication to pneumonectomy. Therefore sometimes, the curative operations of the resectable lung cancer can not be performed in case of poor pulmonary functions. The usual criteria on the performance of pneumonectomy on high risk patients based on the preoperative assessment of pulmonary function may not predict the operative outcome with accuracy in the postoperative period. Nowadays, there are some arguing points about applying the values of preoperative PFTs to pulmonary resection surgery. We performed a right pneumonectomy for stage IIIb lung cancer in a patient with poor lung function test; FVC 2.17 L, FEV1 0.97 L, FEV1/FVC 44%, FEF 25~75% 0.42 L/sec, MVV 28 L/min, TLC 5.18 L, RV 2.99, DLCO 13.46. After the temporary ligation of right main pulmonary artery during 30 minutes, arterial blood gas and percutaneous oxygen saturation with the controlled ventilation with room air (FiO2=0.21) confirmed the hemodynamic and oxygenation stabilities, twice. After successful surgery, the patient was tolerated for 4 months. And the follow up PFTs at postoperative 3 months and 18 days showed as follows; FVC 1.20 L, FEV1 0.63 L, FEV1/FVC 53%, FEF 25~75% 0.31 L/sec, MVV 25 L/min, TLC 3.80 L, RV 2.33 L, DLCO 8.04. Through the intraoperative re-evaluation of pulmonary function in a patient with poor preoperative PFTs,had been conventionally considered as a contraindication to pneumonectomy, we report a successful surgery and anesthetic management with the literatures reviewed.

Clinical Evaluation of Unplanned Extubation in Liver Transplant Patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Unplanned extubation is a common occurrence in mechanically ventilated patients even in spite of careful attention. It is important to decide on reintubation or the retention of the extubated state especially in the critically ill patients. We tried to formulate general guideline for evaluation and safe management in unplanned extubated liver transplant patients with high risk of multiple organ failure and high mortality rate. METHODS: We reviewed all medical records of 5 unplanned extubated cases from 27 liver transplantation cases. We checked delayed extubation criteria which included United Network Organ Sharing (UNOS) class 1 or 2, preoperative Na (below 130 mEq) and albumin (below 3.0) level, transfusion amount in operating room, severity of postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) and need of vasopressor agents in the 5 unplanned extubated cases. We also checked direct intubation determining factors such as PaO2/FiO2 ratio, respiration rate and pattern, mental state and mode of ventilation. Finally, we reviewed additional factors influencing reintubation. RESULTS: We found a rate of 18 percent of unplanned extubation (5 of 27 events), and 80 percent of reintubation incidence (4 of 5 events). CONCLUSIONS: It is rational to reintubate immediately in unplanned extubated cases which meet 3 or more delayed extubation criteria. The direct reintubation determining factors are PaO2/FiO2 ratio (below 300) and the presence of paradoxical respiration with a high respiration rate (over 28/minute).