Oxycodone vs. fentanyl in the treatment of early post-operative pain after total knee replacement: randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Total knee replacement is often accompanied by severe post-operative pain. Oxycodone has sufficient analgesic effects and somewhat greater, but tolerable side effects compared to fentanyl. However, most studies on the topic evaluate visceral pain relief. In this study, we determine the effectiveness of oxycodone for somatic pain and evaluate the incidence of side effects. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were involved in a randomized control trial. Analgesic agents were administered to two experimental groups at a post anesthetic care unit (PACU) 15 min after PACU admission: a 50 µg fentanyl group (n = 40) and a 4 mg oxycodone group (n = 29), both with severe pain (numeric rating scale, NRS > 5). Changes in NRS at the PACU were measured. Additional analgesic agents were administered at 0–6, 6–12, 12–24, and 24–48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Total fentanyl consumption and the number of patients who required additional opioids were significantly lower in the oxycodone group than in the fentanyl group. Incidence of side effects was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oxycodone shows a better analgesic effect than fentanyl in somatic pain in the acute phase of post-operative pain. The side effects of oxycodone are not significantly different from those of fentanyl.

Sendai F/HN Viroplexes for Efficient Transfection of Leukemic T Cells

PURPOSE: Most chemical transfection reagents are ineffective for the transfection of cells in suspension, such as leukemic cell and stem cell lineages. We developed two different types of viroplexes, cationic Sendai F/HN viroplexes (CSVs) and protamine sulfate-condensed cationic Sendai F/HN viroplexes (PCSVs) for the efficient transfection of T-leukemic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The viroplex systems were prepared by reconstitution of fusogenic Sendai F/HN proteins in DMKE (O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate) cationic liposomes. The viroplexes were further optimized for plasmid DNA and siRNA delivery to suspension cells. The particle size and surface charge of the viroplexes were analyzed with a zeta-sizer. Transfection of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) by CSVs or PCSV was evaluated by measurement of transgene expression, confocal microscopy, FACS, and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The optimized CSVs and PCSVs exhibited enhanced gene and siRNA delivery in the tested suspension cell lines (Jurkat cells and CEM cells), compared with conventional cationic liposomes. In the case of pDNA transfection, the CSVs and PCSVs show at least 10-fold and 100-fold higher transgene expression compared with DMKE lipoplexes (or lipofectamine 2000), respectively. The CSVs showed more effective siRNA delivery to the suspension cells than cationic liposomes, as assessed by confocal microscopy, FACS, and RT-PCR. The effective transfection by the CSVs and PCSVs is presumably due to fusogenic activity of F/HN proteins resulting in facilitated internalization of pDNA and siRNA. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Sendai F/HN viroplexes can be widely applicable for the transfection of pDNA and siRNA to suspension cell lines.

Nasal Tip Plasty on the Bulbous Nose Revisited

Correction of bulbous nasal tip in rhinoplasty is a difficult subject, particularly in Asian. Since first published an article on the correction of bulbous nasal tip in 1999, we have accumulated more experiences and improved our result in refining nasal tip. We had 17 patients for the correction of bulbous nasal tip. Age ranged from 20 to 39 years old (Mean age, 26.7 years old) and 6 males and 11 females. We were able to follow up from 1 month to 6 years. We classified our patients into three groups according to the shapes of nasal tip and surgical procedures implicated. Group 1: Simple bulbous nasal tip requiring excision of subdermal soft tissue and rearrangement. Group 2: Bulbous nasal tip with flat dorsum of nose, requiring augmentation of dorsum of nose with silicone implant and augmentation of nasal tip with onlay graft with conchal cartilage. Group 3: Bulbous nasal tip with short columella, requiring nasal tip plasty and lengthening of columella with composite graft using helix of ear. Open rhinoplasty technique was applied in all patients with excising subdermal fibrous tissue from nasal tip, and realignment and fixation of alar cartilage with interdomal sutures. Pressure splint was applied on 7th postoperative days and maintained for a couple of months. Proper preoperative diagnosis, subdermal soft tissue excision, realignment and fixation of alar cartilage, cartilage graft, augmentation of dorsum of nose, columella lengthening, postoperative splint and combinations of these are the key of successful results.

A Case of Giant Epidermal Inclusion Cyst

PURPOSE: The epidermal cyst is a very common skin lesion which usually occurs in the hairy regions. They are generally small but rarely reach more than 5 cm in diameter. We present a patient with a giant epidermal cyst on buttock area. METHODS: A 50-year-old man with a slowly enlarging, huge mass in his left buttock was examined. There was no history of trauma in this area. Physical examination revealed a soft, nontender, 15x15cm-sized mass in his left buttock. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images demonstrated a well-circumscribed, multilocular cystic lesion with homogeneous, slightly high signal intensity. On T2-weighted images the lesion had wide areas of high signal intensity. The mass was totally excised. RESULTS: A histopathological finding revealed that the cystic wall was lined with whole layers of stratified squamous epithelium. Keratin layers from the surface of the epithelium were seen to be sloughing into the cystic lumen. Multinucleted giant cells were found outside the cystic wall. CONCLUSION: Herein we report a rare case of giant epidermal cyst occurring on the buttock.

The Influences of the Bispectral Index and Hemodynamics during Induction of Anesthesia with Propofol and/or Midazolam / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index (BIS) has been used as an indicator of sedative state and has been considered to be related to anesthetic agents and noxious stimulus. In this study, we measured BIS, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during induction of anesthesia (IA) with propofol, with and without midazolam pretreatment. METHODS: A study design was used in 20 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients aged from 18 to 60 years undergoing short (2 h) operation times. In the control group (group 1, n = 10), propofol 12 mg/kg/h was infused continuously after propofol 2 mg/kg as an intravenous bolus for IA preceded by normal saline. In group 2 (n = 10), propofol 12 mg/kg/h was infused continuously after half-strength propofol 1 mg/kg as an intravenous bolus for IA preceded by 0.1 mg/kg midazolam 2 min before. Patients received intravenous propofol for IA over 40 seconds. During the infusion, vecuronium (0.15 mg/kg) was given 3 5 min before intubation. The assistant and controlled ventilation were maintained with 100% oxygen over 5 min, and continued until BIS decreased to 40 and intubation was called for. The BIS, BP and HR were measured 2 min after midazolam or normal saline infusion, 3 5 min after propofol with vecuronium and 1, 3 and 5 min after endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: The midazolam pretreatment produced transient decreases in systolic BP and the BIS. During IA with propofol, BP decreased 20% in both groups. BIS decreased significantly 5 min after endotracheal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam pretreatment attenuated the cardiovascular response to intubation, so BIS is considered a good monitor as a predictor of hypnotic state during intravenous anesthesia.

Effects of Fentanyl-induced Rigidity on the Intracranial Pressure in Rabbits / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is important to control of intracranial pressure(ICP) in patients with intracranial pathology. To decrease ICP and to attenuate the adverse cardiovascular reflexes associated with anesthetic induction and tracheal intubation, we are often administered potent opiates during anesthetic induction. A side effect of these agents when used in large doses is muscle rigidity. We investigated the effects of high dose fentanyl on ICP, central venous pressure (CVP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during fentanyl-induced rigidity in rabbits. METHODS: Under halothane anesthesia, polyethylene catheters were surgically inserted into the femoral artery and vein for measurement of MAP and CVP in 10 rabbits. ICP was measured between epidural and subdural space through the burr hole of the frontal bone by means of fiberoptic ICP monitor. The animals were mechanically ventilated to achieve normocarbia. Following instrumentation, halothane was discontinued and fentanyl 50 microgram/kg administered intravenously at the first movement during emergence from halothane anesthesia. RESULTS: In the seven rabbits that developed rigidity, ICP and CVP were increased significantly compared to control value (delta ICP 9.2+/-1.9 mmHg, delta CVP 5.0+/-0.9 cmH2O: P<0.05). But MAP was decreased significantly from 95+/-5 to 74+/-4 mmHg (P<0.05). These variables except MAP were returned to baseline when rigidity was abolished with vecuronium. In three rabbits that did not show rigidity, ICP and CVP did not change following injection of fentanyl. But MAP in the non-rigidity group was significantly decreased like the rigidity group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that rigidity should be prevented when opiates like fentanyl are used as an induction drug of patients with ICP problems.