Patient Controlled Analgesia of Alfentanil after a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Comparison of the Intravenous and Epidural Route / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Although the use of intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IVPCA) has been compared to the use of patient conrolled epidural analgesia (PCEA), there is no optimal administration route of alfentanil for the treatment of postoperative pain. This randomized double-blind study compared the efficacy of the use of IVPCA and PCEA for postoperative pain and the side effects after a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing a TAH were randomly assigned to receive either IVPCA (Group I) or PCEA (Group E) for the infusion of alfentanil for postoperative pain control. In both groups, a loading dose of 750 microgram alfentanil was administered. All patients received the same continuous infusion rate (0.3 mg/h), bolus dose (0.15 mg), and lockout time (15 min). The incidence of side effects, the VAS (visual analog scale) of pain, blood pressure, and heart rate were checked for 20 hours after the loading dose injection. RESULTS: The VAS of pain was not significantly different between the two groups of patients. The onset of the analgesic effect was significantly more rapid in the Group I patients than in the Group E patients. There was no difference in side effects for either group. CONCLUSIONS: When considering multiple factors such as the onset of analgesia, technical difficulties or infection after the procedure, IVPCA using alfentanil is more useful than PCEA for postoperative pain control after a TAH.

Comparison of the Effects of Intrathecal Fentanyl and Meperidine on Shivering after Cesarean Delivery under Spinal Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Meperidine has proved a far more effective treatment for shivering after spinal anesthesia than equianalgesic doses of opioid agonist. We performed this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study to compare the antishivering effect of fentanyl and meperidine when added to intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine during Cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty ASA I or II patients undergoing Cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned into three groups. Fentanyl 12.5 ug (group F) or meperidine 12.5 mg (group M) or normal saline 2.5 ml (group C) were added to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine 8.5 mg for spinal anesthesia. Data including mean arterial pressure, heart rate, sensory block level, core temperature, shivering incidence and intensity were collected every 2 min for 10 min and then every 5 min until the end of surgery. RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences in patient characteristics, the mean arterial pressure, heart rate and core temperature among the groups. The incidences of shivering in fentanyl and meperidine group were significantly lower than in the control group, but there were no significant differences between fentanyl and meperidine group. Shivering intensity was significantly lower in fentanyl and meperidine group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal fentanyl and meperidine added to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine are effective in reducing the incidence and intensity of shivering associated with spinal anesthesia.

Delayed Recovery after Continuous Infusion of Midazolam in Hepatic Dysfunction: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Benzodiazepines are frequently administered for sedation to surgical intensive care unit patients who require postoperative intubation and mechanical ventilation. Midazolam is the most commonly used drug, which is water soluble, short-acting benzodiazepine and rapidly metabolized by the liver. Continuous intravenous infusion of midazolam was administered to the man who was 40 years old for mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit for 58 hours. After discontinued midazolam, patient who had acute hepatic dysfunction had been sedated with endotracheal intubation for 5 days. Even flumazenil was tried twice to reverse the effect of midazolam, the response was limited by the time. Finally he awaked as recovery of his hepatic function.