Effect of Epidural Dexamethasone Injection for Back Pain after Lumbar Epidural Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

Background: Lumbar epidural anesthesia is widely used regional blockade method. But postepidural back pain is most common cause that experienced patients refuse epidural anesthesia. We planned this study to evaluate the effect of epidural dexamethasone injection for postepidural back pain. Methods: Adult patients free of back pain were randomly allocated into two groups. In both group anesthesia was induced with 2% lidocaine 20~25 ml mixed with 1:200,00 epinephrine and fentanyl 0.1 mg. After surgery, epidural catheter was removed after epidural dexamethasone injection in one group (group 2). In other group (group 1), catheter was removed without treatment. We visited patients and asked existence of back pain, and the intensity of back pain was measured by visual analogue scale at 24, 48 and 72 hours after surgery. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: In group 2, there was significant decrease in number of patients suffering from back pain and intensity of back pain. Conclusion: Epidural dexamethasone injection results in decreased number of patients suffering from back pain and also less in intensity of back pain.

The Effect on Onset Time of Warming Local Anesthetic for Caudal Block / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: One of the main disadvantages of caudal block is the long latent period before a satisfactory blockade is obtained. Many investigators have used various preparations of local anesthetic solutions to improve the speed of onset. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of prewarming of lidocaine HCl for caudal block. METHODS: Fifty healthy young patients (ASA I) were allocated into two groups, A and B. In group A, the local anesthetic solution were injected at room temperature (25 degrees C), while in group B, they were injected at 37oC. All the caudal block were performed using 2% lidocaine HCl 20 ml with fentanyl 100ug and epinephrine 1:200,000. The onset time was defined as the period from completion of injection until the patient first noticed loss of sensation to pin-prick on perianal region. Assessment of sensory loss was made at 15 seconds interval. We have compared the onset of sensory blockade between groups. The duration of analgesia and any significant side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly faster in group B (3.5 +/- 0.5 minutes) than group A (6.2 +/- 0.9 minutes). The duration of analgesia were not significantly changed between groups. Side effects of urinary retention, pruritus and nausea were noted between both groups but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the onset time was 44% faster with warm lidocaine-fentanyl mixture (37 degrees C) than with the room temperature (25 degrees C). The improved clinical usefulness was achieved with no increase in side effects. The technique is a safe and effective method to reduce the latency of onset.