Postoperative hypothermia in geriatric patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia below 36℃ is a common problem during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Geriatric patients are more vulnerable to perioperative hypothermia. The present study compared postoperative hypothermia between geriatric and young adult patients receiving arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from a geriatric group (aged 65 or more, n = 29), and a control group (aged 19–64, n = 33) using the anesthesia records of patients who had undergone arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of hypothermia upon arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). The secondary outcome measure was the decrease in body temperature from admission into the operating room to admission into the PACU. RESULTS: The incidence of hypothermia was 93.1% and 54.5% in the geriatric and control groups, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). Comparison between body temperature revealed a decrease of 1.5 ± 0.6℃ and 1.0 ± 0.4℃ in the geriatric and control groups, respectively, showing a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). The degree of hypothermia was significantly different between the groups (P = 0.027). No shivering was observed in either of the two groups, but the incidence of thermal discomfort was higher in the geriatric group than in the control group (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In geriatric patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery, both the incidence of postoperative hypothermia and the associated temperature drop are more prominent than those in young adult patients. Additional warming methods will be needed to prevent postoperative hypothermia in geriatric patients.

Effect of short-term prewarming on body temperature in arthroscopic shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia (< 36°C) is common during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. It is known that 30 to 60 minutes of prewarming can prevent perioperative hypothermia by decreasing body heat redistribution. However, the effect of short-term prewarming (less than 30 minutes) on body temperature in such surgery has not been reported yet. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of short-term prewarming for less than 30 minutes using forced-air warming device on body temperature during interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) procedure in arthroscopic shoulder surgery before general anesthesia. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery to receive either cotton blanket (not pre-warmed, group C, n = 26) or forced-air warming device (pre-warmed, group F, n = 26). Temperature was recorded every 15 minutes from entering the operating room until leaving post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). Shivering and thermal comfort scale were evaluated during their stay in the PACU. RESULTS: There were significant differences in body temperature between group C and group F from 30 minutes after induction of general anesthesia to 30 minutes after arrival in the PACU (P < 0.05). The median duration of prewarming in group F was 14 min (range: 9-23 min). There was no significant difference in thermal comfort scale or shivering between the two groups in PACU. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that short-term prewarming using a forced-air warming device during ISBPB in arthroscopic shoulder surgery had beneficial effect on perioperative hypothermia.

Effect of short-term prewarming on body temperature in arthroscopic shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia (< 36°C) is common during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. It is known that 30 to 60 minutes of prewarming can prevent perioperative hypothermia by decreasing body heat redistribution. However, the effect of short-term prewarming (less than 30 minutes) on body temperature in such surgery has not been reported yet. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of short-term prewarming for less than 30 minutes using forced-air warming device on body temperature during interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) procedure in arthroscopic shoulder surgery before general anesthesia. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery to receive either cotton blanket (not pre-warmed, group C, n = 26) or forced-air warming device (pre-warmed, group F, n = 26). Temperature was recorded every 15 minutes from entering the operating room until leaving post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). Shivering and thermal comfort scale were evaluated during their stay in the PACU. RESULTS: There were significant differences in body temperature between group C and group F from 30 minutes after induction of general anesthesia to 30 minutes after arrival in the PACU (P < 0.05). The median duration of prewarming in group F was 14 min (range: 9-23 min). There was no significant difference in thermal comfort scale or shivering between the two groups in PACU. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that short-term prewarming using a forced-air warming device during ISBPB in arthroscopic shoulder surgery had beneficial effect on perioperative hypothermia.

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy after Thyroidectomy Detected by McGrath Videolaryngoscope / 대한내분비외과학회지

Bilateral vocal cord palsy (BVCP) is a rare complication of thyroid surgery, and it is confusing and frustrating for both patients and medical staff. We found postoperative vocal cord dysfunction using a McGrath videolaryngoscope from a patient with stridor and dyspnea after thyroidectomy performed with intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring. Soon after, the patient was diagnosed with BVCP by an ENT otolaryngologist using a laryngeal fiberscope. The patient underwent exploration and received a permanent tracheostoma. The possibility of false negative findings from intraoperative nerve monitoring should considered if there is suspicion of BVCP in a high risk patient after thyroidectomy. The McGrath video-laryngoscope can be useful for early discovery of postoperative vocal cord dysfunction.

Spinal anesthesia for cesarean section in a patient with systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis and, vasculopathy, with multiorgan involvement. Anesthetic considerations in patients with systemic sclerosis must take into account the degree of organ dysfunction as well as airway management. Regional anesthesia is a preferable alternative to general anesthesia despite the reports of prolonged sensory block. Spinal anesthesia in patients with systemic sclerosis has been reported for only one patients undergoing cesarean section. Concurrent systemic sclerosis and pregnancy raise many obstetric and anesthetic considerations. We describe the case of a pregnant patient with systemic sclerosis who had a history of dyspnea and interstitial lung disease. The cesarean section was performed uneventfully under spinal anesthesia.

Effect of Propofol and Desflurane on Immune Cell Populations in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Trial

Several factors can affect the perioperative immune function. We evaluated the effect of propofol and desflurane anesthesia on the surgery-induced immune perturbation in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to receive propofol (n = 20) or desflurane (n = 20) anesthesia. The total and differential white blood cell counts were determined with lymphocyte subpopulations before and 1 hr after anesthesia induction and at 24 hr postoperatively. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 were also measured. Both propofol and desflurane anesthesia preserved the IL-2/IL-4 and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio. Leukocytes were lower in the propofol group than in the desflurane group at 1 hr after induction (median [quartiles], 4.98 [3.87-6.31] vs. 5.84 [5.18-7.94] 10(3)/microL) and 24 hr postoperatively (6.92 [5.54-6.86] vs. 7.62 [6.22-9.21] 10(3)/microL). NK cells significantly decreased 1 hr after induction in the propofol group (0.41 [0.34-0.53] to 0.25 [0.21-0.33] 10(3)/microL), but not in the desflurane group (0.33 [0.29-0.48] to 0.38 [0.30-0.56] 10(3)/microL). Our findings indicate that both propofol and desflurane anesthesia for breast cancer surgery induce a favorable immune response in terms of preservation of IL-2/IL-4 and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the perioperative period. With respect to leukocytes and NK cells, desflurane anesthesia is associated with less adverse immune responses than propofol anesthesia during surgery for breast cancer. (Clinical trial registration at https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris number: KCT0000939)

Effect of intraoperative infusion of ketamine on remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Opioid induced hyperalgesia (OIH) is related with high opioid dosage, a long duration of opioid administration, and abrupt discontinuation of infused opioids in anesthetic settings. Ketamine is known to attenuate OIH efficiently, but methods of administration and methods to quantify and assess a decrease in OIH vary. We demonstrated the existence of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia and investigated the ability of ketamine to attenuate OIH. METHODS: Seventy-five patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery under remifentanil-based anesthesia were assigned to one of the following groups: (1) group RL (remifentanil 0.05 microg/kg/min), (2) group RH (remifentanil 0.3 microg/kg/min), or (3) group KRH (remifentanil 0.3 microg/kg/min + ketamine 0.5 mg/kg bolus with 5 microg/kg/min infusion intraoperatively). Desflurane was administered for maintenance of anesthesia to target bispectral index scores (40-60) and hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and blood pressure < +/- 20% of baseline values). All parameters related to OIH and its attenuation induced by ketamine were investigated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among the three groups related to demographic and anesthetic parameters except the end-tidal concentration of desflurane. Additional analgesic consumption, numerical rating scale scores at 6 and 24 h, and cumulative fentanyl dose were significantly higher in group RH than in the other two groups. The value difference of the Touch-Test sensory evaluation was significantly higher negative in group RH than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia is significantly attenuated by intraoperative bolus and infusion of ketamine. Ketamine also decreased tactile sensitization, as measured by Touch-Test sensory evaluation.

The degree of labor pain at the time of epidural analgesia in nulliparous women influences the obstetric outcome / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The increased pain at the latent phase can be associated with dysfunctional labor as well as increases in cesarean delivery frequency. We aimed to research the effect of the degree of pain at the time of epidural analgesia on the entire labor process including the mode of delivery. METHODS: We performed epidural analgesia to 102 nulliparous women on patients' request. We divided the group into three based on NRS (numeric rating scale) at the moment of epidural analgesia; mild pain, NRS 1-4; moderate pain, NRS 5-7; severe pain, NRS 8-10. The primary outcome was the mode of delivery (normal labor or cesarean delivery). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mode of delivery among groups. Patients with severe labor pain had a significantly higher cesarean delivery compared to patients with moderate labor pain (P = 0.006). The duration of the first and second stage of labor, fetal heart rate, use of oxytocin and premature rupture of membranes had no differences in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our research showed that the degree of pain at the time of epidural analgesia request might influence the rate of cesarean delivery. Further research would be necessary for clarifying the mechanism that the augmentation of pain affects the mode of delivery.

Anesthetic Management for Lung Adenocarcinoma Experienced Acute Neurocardiogenic Syncope and Cardiac Arrest / 이화의대지

Vasovagal syncope is one of the most common causes of transient syncope during anesthesia for elective surgery in patients with a history of syncope and requires special attention and management of anesthetics. The causes and pathophysiological mechanism of this condition are poorly understood, but it has a benign clinical course and recovers spontaneously. However, in some cases, this condition may cause cardiovascular collapse resulting in major ischemic organ injury and be life threatening. Herein we report a case and review literature, regarding completing anesthesia safely during an elective surgery of a 59-year-old female patient with history of loss of consciousness due to suspected vasovagal syncope followed by cardiovascular collapse and cardiac arrest, which required cardiopulmonary resuscitation and insertion of a temporary pacemaker and intra-aortic balloon pump immediately after a fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a lung nodule located in the right middle lobe.

Is there any difference in American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score between nonagenarian and septuagenarian patients?

BACKGROUND: As the life expectancy increases, extreme old age is not a contraindication to surgery. Limited information is available regarding preoperative evaluation for very old patients in Korea. We hypothesized that the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA PS) score would differ between nonagenarian and septuagenarian patients in Korea. METHODS: The medical records of 100 nonagenarian (90s group) and septuagenarian (70s group) patients who had received elective surgery under general or regional anesthesia were reviewed to investigate their nutritional status, coexisting diseases, surgical procedure related cardiac risk, and ASA PS before surgery. RESULTS: The body mass index, hemoglobin, arterial oxygen partial pressure and albumin levels were significantly lower in the 90s group than in the 70s group. The age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was significantly higher in the 90s group than in the 70s group. The intermediate cardiac risk associated with surgical procedures was significantly higher in the 90s group than in the 70s group. There was no significant difference in the ASA PS class between the 90s group and the 70s group. CONCLUSIONS: The nonagenarian patients did not present a significant difference from the septuagenarian patients in ASA PS classification. However, the comorbidity index scores and cardiac risk related to surgical procedures were higher in the 90s group than in the 70s group. Thus, in the preoperative evaluation of very old patients, a category assessing their physiologic reserve should be added.

Vertebral level of Tuffier's line measured by ultrasonography in parturients in the lateral decubitus position / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is known that Tuffier's line intersects the spine at the L4 spinous process or at the L4-L5 intervertebral space. Full term parturient women undergo various physical changes. Therefore, determining the vertebral level with Tuffier's line based on palpation inevitably is not very accurate. The aim of this study was to use ultrasound to verify the difference between vertebral levels for the palpated Tuffier's line in parturient and non-parturient women in the lateral decubitus position. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled 40 parturient women at 37-41 weeks of gestation and 40 non-parturient women scheduled for regional anesthesia. In the left lateral position, the location of the vertebra was identified using ultrasonography. We marked every intervertebral space from L5 to L2 vertebra, divided each spinous process into two equal parts, and numbered the spaces sequentially from 1 to 9. We drew a Tuffier's line by palpating, recorded the vertebral level that this line intersected. RESULTS: The mean value of an arbitrary number of vertebral level of Tuffier's line was 6.4 +/- 0.9 in the non-pregnant group and this represents L4-lower vertebral level. In the pregnant group, the mean value was 3.0 +/- 1.0 which represents L3-lower vertebral level. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We compared using an available ultrasound technique the vertebral levels intersected by the palpated Tuffier's line between parturient and non-parturient women and found that the vertebral levels were more cephalad in the parturient women compared to the non-parturient women.

Topographic pattern of the brachial plexus at the axillary fossa through real-time ultrasonography in Koreans / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The ability to explore the anatomy has improved our appreciation of the brachial anatomy and the quality of regional anesthesia. Using real-time ultrasonography, we investigated the cross-sectional anatomy of the brachial plexus and of vessels at the axillary fossa in Koreans. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one patients scheduled to undergo surgery in the region below the elbow were enrolled after giving their informed written consent. Using the 5-12 MHz linear probe of an ultrasound system, we examined cross-sectional images of the brachial plexus in the supine position with the arm abducted by 90degrees, the shoulder externally rotated, and the forearm flexed by 90degrees at the axillary fossa. The results of the nerve positions were expressed on a 12-section pie chart and the numbers of arteries and veins were reported. RESULTS: Applying gentle pressure to prevent vein collapse, the positions of the nerves changed easily and showed a clockwise order around the axillary artery (AA). The most frequent positions were observed in the 10-11 section (79.2%) for the median, 1-2 section (79.3%) for the ulnar, 3-5 section (78.4%) for the radial, and 8-9 section (86.9%) for the musculocutaneous nerve. We also noted anatomical variations consisting of double arteries (9.2%) and multiple axillary veins (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Using real-time ultrasonography, we found that the anatomical pattern of the major nerves in Koreans was about 80% of the frequent position of individual nerves, 90.8% of the single AA, and 87% of multiple veins around the AA.

The analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block with 2% lidocaine in early postoperative period after lower abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a new regional anesthetic technique for postoperative pain control after lower abdominal surgery. We evaluated the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided (US-) TAP block in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery. METHODS: Thirty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II patients between 20-80 years of age undergoing lower abdominal surgery were randomized to receive standard care (n = 15) including intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA), or to undergo bilateral US-TAP block adjunctively (n = 15). A standard general anesthetic technique was used. After induction of anesthesia, bilateral US-TAP block was performed using total 30 ml of 2% lidocaine. Each patient was assessed postoperatively at 20, 30, and 60 min in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 6, 12, and 24 h in ward for pain scores using verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), analgesic requirements, quality of sleep, and complications. RESULTS: US-TAP block significantly reduced VNRS pain scores at 20, 30, and 60 min postoperatively (P < 0.001). The US-TAP block group required significantly fewer remifentanil intraoperatively (P < 0.05). Additional analgesic requirements were significantly lower in both PACU and ward (P < 0.05) in the US-TAP block group. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in total infused volume of IV-PCA, time to first requirement of analgesics in ward, and quality of sleep. CONCLUSIONS: US-TAP block with 2% lidocaine provided superior analgesia after lower abdominal surgery especially in the first 60 postoperative min when used as a component of a multimodal analgesic regimen.

Effect-site target-controlled infusion of propofol: comparison of Schnider and modified Marsh models

BACKGROUND: We investigated effect-site concentrations of propofol, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time during anesthesia using effect-site target-controlled infusion, to compare the differences between Schnider and modified Marsh model. METHODS: Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II patients between the ages of 18 and 55 years old and who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized into two groups: one group using modified Marsh model (Group 1) and the other group using Schnider model (Group 2). Effect-site concentrations of propofol, blood pressure, heart rate and BIS at each anesthetic stage were recorded. Time to loss of consciousness, time to loss of eyelid reflex and awakening time were measured. RESULTS: Group 1 showed shorter time to loss of consciousness and eyelid reflex at the lower effect-site concentration of propofol than Group 2 (P < 0.05). The effect-site concentrations of Group 1 were higher than those of Group 2 at eye opening and extubation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Induction of anesthesia is achieved at lower effect-site concentration of propofol and more rapidly in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model. However the effect-site concentrations of propofol for awakening are higher in the modified Marsh model than in the Schnider model.

Myocardial bridge detected by changes in ECG before induction: A case report

Myocardial bridge, in which some of the epicardial coronary arterial segments are embedded in the muscle, has clinical significance because serious cardiac diseases such as angina, cardiac ischemia, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death can occur. However, anesthetic management for the perioperative period for patients with myocardial bridge has remained controversial. We present a case of anesthetic management for total gastrectomy in a previously healthy 56-year-old male patient, who exhibited T-wave inversion and ST-segment depression in ECG monitoring on arrival to the operating room. While delaying the operation for further study, he was diagnosed as having myocardial bridge on a 3D-coronary CT. After confirmation of the normal coronary angiography, the patient underwent total gastrectomy uneventfully. There is no substitute for vigilance regarding the anesthesiologist.

Dexamathasone added to levobupivacaine improves postoperative analgesia in ultrasound guided interscalene brachial plexus blockade for arthroscopic shoulder surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of 5 mg dexamethasone to 10 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine on postoperative analgesic effects of ultrasound guided-interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) in arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: In 60 patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery that underwent general anesthesia, ISBPB was preoperatively performed with 10 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine under the guidance of ultrasound and a nerve stimulator. Patients were randomly allocated to receive the same volume of normal saline (Group I), 5 mg of dexamethasone (Group II), or 1 : 400,000 epinephrine (Group III) as an adjuvant to the mixture. A blind observer recorded total analgesic consumption, sleep quality, complication, and patient satisfaction using a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) at 0, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after the operation. RESULTS: All patients had successful ISBPB and excellent analgesic effects less than VNRS 4 up to discharge time. VNRS in Group II at 12 h and 48 h was statistically much lower than in Group I and III. There were no differences in total analgesic consumption, sleep quality, complications, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the addition of 5 mg of dexamethasone to 10 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine in ISBPB showed improvement of postoperative analgesia for arthroscopic shoulder operation without any specific complications.

Effect of flumazenil on recovery from anesthesia and the bispectral index after sevoflurane/fentanyl general anesthesia in unpremedicated patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines have a hypnotic/sedative effect through the inhibitory action of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. Flumazenil antagonizes these effects via competitive inhibition, so it has been used to reverse the effect of benzodiazepines. Recently, flumazenil has been reported to expedite recovery from propofol/remifentanil and sevoflurane/remifentanil anesthesia without benzodiazepines. Endogenous benzodiazepine ligands (endozepines) were isolated in several tissues of individuals who had not received benzodiazepines. METHODS: Forty-five healthy unpremedicated patients were randomly allocated to either flumazenil or a control groups. Each patient received either a single dose of 0.3 mg of flumazenil (n = 24) or placebo (n = 21). After drug administration, various recovery parameters and bispectral index (BIS) values in the flumazenil and control groups were compared. RESULTS: Mean time to spontaneous respiration, eye opening on verbal command, hand squeezing on verbal command, extubation and time to date of birth recollection were significantly shorter in the flumazenil group than in the control group (P = 0.004, 0.007, 0.005, 0.042, and 0.016, respectively). The BIS value was significantly higher in flumazenil group than in the control group beginning 6 min after flumazenil administration. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of a single dose of 0.3 mg of flumazenil to healthy, unpremedicated patients at the end of sevoflurane/fentanyl anesthesia without benzodiazepines resulted in earlier emergence from anesthesia and an increase in the BIS value. This may indicate that flumazenil could have an antagonistic effect on sevoflurane or an analeptic effect through endozepine-dependent mechanisms.

Rhabdomyolysis recognized after elevation of liver enzymes following prolonged urologic surgery with lateral decubitus position: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

The classic signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis are non-specific and not present in all cases, and mild cases might go unrecognized. We present a case of rhabdomyolysis recognized in a 68-year-old man after elevation of liver enzymes following prolonged urologic surgery. The patient's postoperative course was concerned with elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase without any clinical manifestations on the first postoperative day. After examining the serum creatine kinase and myoglobin levels, the patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. After 16 days, he was discharged with fully recovered liver enzymes and creatine kinase. We suggest that sufficient perioperative attentions should be given to patients at a higher risk of rhabdomyolysis.

The effect of pyridostigmine on bispectral index during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been some conflicting reports showing that muscle relaxants and anticholinesterases affect the level of the bispectral index (BIS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether pyridostigmine affects the level of the BIS during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty-two adult patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic appendectomy. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental 4 mg/kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. The lung was mechanically ventilated with 1-3 vol% sevoflurane, 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide. After a specimen was removed, the sevoflurane concentration was maintained at 1.5 vol%. When skin closure began, sevoflurane was stopped; however, 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide were maintained. The patients then received either (1) a group that received an injection of glycopyrrolate 0.04 mg/kg and pyridostigmine 0.2 mg/kg (reverse (R) group, n = 26) or (2) a group that received normal saline (control (C) group, n = 26). Group assignment was random. Pyridostigmine, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor, is a parasympathomimetic. End-tidal sevoflurane concentration, train of four (TOF) ratio, bispectral index (BIS), blood pressure and heart rate were measured from the end of the operation to 15 min after inject of pyridostigmine or placebo. RESULTS: There were no significant between group differences in the time dependent decrease in end-tidal sevoflurane concentration (P = 0.0642). There were significant differences between the two groups for the time course for increases in the TOF value (P < 0.0001). There were significant differences between the two groups for the time course for increases in the BIS value (P = 0.0107). There were no significant differences in the mean BIS value up to 10 minutes after administering drug, but 15 minutes after administrating the reverse drug or the control drug, the BIS value showed significantly different BIS values: 68.2 +/- 6.2 (Group R) and 63.2 +/- 6.2 (Group C) (P = 0.0058). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that pyridostigmine increases TOF and BIS suggests that pyridostigmine may enhance recovery during recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia.

Bladder perforation during laparoscopy detected by gaseous distention of the urinary bag: A report of two cases / 대한마취과학회지

Bladder perforation during laparoscopy is a recognized, uncommon complication. We present two cases of bladder perforation during laparoscopic gynecologic operations that were detected by gaseous distention of the urinary bag. Bladder perforation occurred through laparoscopic division of adhesion. One bladder perforation was repaired laparoscopically, and the other case was repaired by laparotomy during the same general anesthesia. In this report, we present evidence that monitoring a gas-distended urinary bag during a laparoscopic procedure can help detect intraoperative bladder perforation.