The Analgesic Effect of Different Dosing Methods When Using Transdermal Fentanyl Patches after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: The advances in surgical technology, anesthesia and perioperative care have made it possible to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy on an outpatient basis. This study was conducted to assess the analgesic effect and the adverse events of different dosing methods when using transdermal fentanyl patches (TDFPs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients who were to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were divided into two groups. Group 1: 2 TDFPs that released 12microgram/h were applied after the induction of anesthesia and these 2 patches were removed after 24 hours. Group 2: 2 TDFPs that released 12microgram/h were applied after the induction of anesthesia and one patch was removed after 7 hours and the other patch was removed after 24 hours. The intensity of the postoperative pain was assessed by using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and assessing the adverse events, including dizziness, pruritus and nausea/vomiting, were recorded for 48 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The VAS score of postoperative pain was not significantly different between the two groups at all times. The incidence of dizziness in groups I and II was 10 and 3, respectively, and the incidence of nausea/vomiting in group I and II was 4 and 0, respectively. The incidences of dizziness and nausea/vomiting in group II were significantly lower than those of group I (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A dosing method that removes half of the TDFPs (24microgram/h) after 7 hours of application caused a lower incidence of dizziness and nausea/vomiting without any significant difference of postoperative analgesic efficacy, as compared to leaving on both the TDFPs (24microgram/h) for 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The EC50 of Propofol for Loss of Response to Command during Remifentanil/Propofol Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Propofol sedation using target-controlled infusion (TCI) system can be used in MAC (Monitored Anesthesia Care).Remifentanil is an ultra-short-acting opioid that is advantageous in combination with propofol due to its rapid onset and offset times and analgesic effect.The present study sought to identify the EC50 of propofol for 'loss of response to command' when administered alone or with 2 or 3 ng/ml remifentanil using TCI. METHODS: Seventy patients were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups:Group 1 = propofol only (n = 20), Group 2 = propofol plus 2 ng/ml remifentanil (n = 25) and Group 3 = propofol plus 3 ng/ml remifentanil (n = 25).The EC50 was determined by calculating the mean of the midpoint dose of all independent pairs of patients who manifested crossover from 'response to command' to 'loss of response to command'. RESULTS: The EC50 of propofol was found to be 3.41 +/- 0.25microgram/ml in Group 1, 2.04 +/- 0.22microgram/ml in Group 2, and 1.98 +/- 0.15microgram/ml in Group 3.Statistical analysis showed the EC50 for Group 1 was higher than those for Groups 2 and 3, and that the EC50 of latter groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Using the modified Dixon's up and down method, the present study estimated the EC50 of propofol for 'loss of response to command' when remifentanil was infused in analgesic doses using TCI.Those concentrations can safely and effectively generate sedation and analgesia without clinically significant side effects in MAC.

Incidence of Paresthesia Related to the Insertion Length of Catheter during the Epidural Catheterization / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Continuous epidural catheterization is a popular and effective procedure for postoperative analgesia. However, continuous epidural catheterization has associated complications such as venous puncture, dural puncture, subarachnoid cannulation, suboptimal catheter placement, and paresthesia because the tip of the epidural catheter touches thenerves of the dura in the epidural space. In this study, we compared the incidence of paresthesia in two different lengths of epidural catheter insertion. METHODS: One hundred women undergoing gynecologic or orthopedic surgery were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study. All patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the insertion length of the epidural catheter 2 cm (group A) or 4 cm (group B). A Tuohy needle was inserted in the lumbarspinal region with a bevel directed cephalad by use of the median approach, and then the epidural space was confirmed by the loss of resistance technique with air. While the practitioner inserted an epidural catheter into the epidural space, a blind observer checked for paresthesia or withdrawal movement. RESULTS: In 97 included patients, 30.6% of the patients in group A (n = 49) had paresthesia, versus 31.3% in group B (n = 48). Withdrawal movements were represented in 2% and 6% of the patients in group A and group B, respectively. There was no difference in the incidence of paresthesia and withdrawal movement between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no clear relationship for the incidence of catheter-related paresthesia according to the catheter length inserted into the epidural space for epidural analgesia.

Treatment of Tremor and Spasticity in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome with Spinal Cord Stimulation: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary and oscillatory movement of body parts, and it is the most common movement disorder. Spasticity is also one of the movement disorders that is commonly accompanied with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; however, the basic nature of spasticity has not yet been proved. A 25-year-old male patient had two operations and he was being treated because of a back injury that occurred 4 years ago. He suffered from pain, tremor and spasticity on both his lower legs, and his symptoms were diagnosed as failed back surgery syndrome. The tremor and spasticity were aggravated despite of continuous treatments. We then treated him with spinal cord stimulation. His pain, tremor and spasticity disappeared after spinal cord stimulation.

Effect of Continuous Infusion of Remifentanil on Propofol Dose and Hemodynamics using Bispectral Index during Anesthetic Induction / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil combined with propofol is usually used to induce anesthesia. However, remifentanil and propofol depress the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the effects of a continuous infusion of remifentanil on the propofol dose and hemodynamics using the bispectral index (BIS) during anesthetic induction. METHODS: Sixty female ASA physical status class I or II patients, who were scheduled to undergo gynecologic surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20). Normal saline 20 ml/hr (Group S), remifentanil 0.25microgram/kg/min (Group 0.25), or remifentanil 0.5microgram/kg/min (Group 0.5) was infused intravenously. Propofol was administered slowly two minutes after administering remifentanil or normal saline. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and BIS were measured at baseline, preintubation and postintubation. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the changes in the BIS among the groups. The MAP and heart rate decreased at preintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The MAP of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The heart rate in all groups increased at postintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The heart rate of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that of Group S (P < 0.05). The propofol requirement for unconsciousness was lower in Groups 0.25 and 0.5 than in Group S. The propofol requirement in Groups S, 0.25 and 0.5 was 1.56+/-0.2 mg/kg, 1.07+/-0.2 mg/kg and 0.9+/-0.1 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A combined injection of 0.5microgram/kg/min remifantanil with 0.9 mg/kg of propofol decreases the heart rate and MAP at preintubation without adverse effects and appropriately prevents the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation, and reduces the propofol dose needed for a loss of consciousness.

Effect of Continuous Infusion of Remifentanil on Propofol Dose and Hemodynamics using Bispectral Index during Anesthetic Induction / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil combined with propofol is usually used to induce anesthesia. However, remifentanil and propofol depress the cardiovascular system. This study investigated the effects of a continuous infusion of remifentanil on the propofol dose and hemodynamics using the bispectral index (BIS) during anesthetic induction. METHODS: Sixty female ASA physical status class I or II patients, who were scheduled to undergo gynecologic surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20). Normal saline 20 ml/hr (Group S), remifentanil 0.25microgram/kg/min (Group 0.25), or remifentanil 0.5microgram/kg/min (Group 0.5) was infused intravenously. Propofol was administered slowly two minutes after administering remifentanil or normal saline. The heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and BIS were measured at baseline, preintubation and postintubation. RESULT: There were no significant differences in the changes in the BIS among the groups. The MAP and heart rate decreased at preintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The MAP of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that in the other groups (P < 0.05). The heart rate in all groups increased at postintubation compared with baseline (P < 0.05). The heart rate of Group 0.5 at postintubation was lower than that of Group S (P < 0.05). The propofol requirement for unconsciousness was lower in Groups 0.25 and 0.5 than in Group S. The propofol requirement in Groups S, 0.25 and 0.5 was 1.56+/-0.2 mg/kg, 1.07+/-0.2 mg/kg and 0.9+/-0.1 mg/kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A combined injection of 0.5microgram/kg/min remifantanil with 0.9 mg/kg of propofol decreases the heart rate and MAP at preintubation without adverse effects and appropriately prevents the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation, and reduces the propofol dose needed for a loss of consciousness.

Esophageal Perforation due to an Impaction of Omitted Dental Prosthesis after General Anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Foreign body ingestion induces various complications during the induction of and emergence from anesthesia. These complications include inconsequential mucosal scratches, abrasion, laceration, esophageal stricture, necrosis, retropharyngeal abscess formation, hemorrhage, obstruction and perforation. We experienced a case of esophageal perforation after ingestion of a dental prosthesis during emergence. A 71-year-old female patient received general anesthesia for a lumbar laminectomy. At postanesthesia care unit, she complained of a sore throat and found that her dental prosthesis was missing. The impacted dental prosthesis was found at the T7 level, which was followed due to its perforation through the esophageal wall, causing mediastinitis. She underwent an operation for the esophageal repair and was discharged with slight chest discomfort due to operation, after 10 days.

Esophageal Perforation due to an Impaction of Omitted Dental Prosthesis after General Anesthesia: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Foreign body ingestion induces various complications during the induction of and emergence from anesthesia. These complications include inconsequential mucosal scratches, abrasion, laceration, esophageal stricture, necrosis, retropharyngeal abscess formation, hemorrhage, obstruction and perforation. We experienced a case of esophageal perforation after ingestion of a dental prosthesis during emergence. A 71-year-old female patient received general anesthesia for a lumbar laminectomy. At postanesthesia care unit, she complained of a sore throat and found that her dental prosthesis was missing. The impacted dental prosthesis was found at the T7 level, which was followed due to its perforation through the esophageal wall, causing mediastinitis. She underwent an operation for the esophageal repair and was discharged with slight chest discomfort due to operation, after 10 days.

Smoking Types and Smoking Cessation Rate

BACKGROUND: Many factors are related to smoking cessation. Smoking types may play an important role. Our study is to find out whether smoking types are truly related to smoking cessation rate and smoking cessation trial rate. METHODS: We evaluated via questionnaire 433 male workers at a company who visited health promotion center at a university hospital. 'Why test' was used to analyze smoking types. RESULTS: Out of 433 workers, we excluded 89 workers who had never smoked before, and 29 workers who answered incompletely to the questionnaire. Among 315 workers evaluated, stimulation type was 43 cases, handling type 10 cases, pleasure/relaxation type 26 cases, crutch/tension type 114 cases, craving/addiction type 45 cases, and habit type 6 cases. Smoking cessation success rates were 15.7%, 25.0%, 30.0%, 13.3%, 23.5% and 0.0%, respectively, for each type among smoking cessation trial group. Smoking cessation success rate was 65.6% in a group who did not belong to any specific type. CONCLUSION: ISmoking cessation rates were higher in handling type, pleasure/relaxation types and craving/ addiction type among 6 smoking types. People who did not belong to any specific type showed the highest smoking cessation rate.