Comparison of upper and lower body forced air blanket to prevent perioperative hypothermia in patients who underwent spinal surgery in prone position: a randomized controlled trial / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#We compared upper- and lower-body forced-air blankets in terms of their ability to prevent perioperative hypothermia, defined as a reduction in body temperature to < 36.0°C, during the perioperative period in patients undergoing spine surgery in the prone position. @*Methods@#In total, 120 patients scheduled for elective spine surgery under general anesthesia were divided into an upper-warming group (n = 60) and a lower-warming group (n = 60). After inducing anesthesia and preparing the patient for surgery, including prone positioning, the upper and lower bodies of the patients in the upper- and lower-warming groups, respectively, were warmed using a forced-air warmer with specified upper and lower blankets. Body temperature was measured using a tympanic membrane thermometer during the pre- and post-operative periods and using a nasopharyngeal temperature probe during the intraoperative period. Patients were evaluated in terms of shivering, thermal comfort, and satisfaction in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). @*Results@#The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia was lower in the upper-warming group than in the lower-warming group ([55.2% vs. 75.9%, P = 0.019] and [21.4% vs. 49.1%, P = 0.002]). Perioperative body temperature was higher in the upper-warming group (P < 0.001). However, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative thermal comfort scale and shivering scores, patient satisfaction, and PACU duration were similar in the two groups. @*Conclusions@#The upper-body blanket was more effective than the lower-body blanket for preventing perioperative hypothermia in patients who underwent spine surgery in the prone position.

Effects of 10-min of pre-warming on inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in intraoperative warming patients: a randomized controlled trial

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 10-min pre-warming in preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, which is defined as a reduction in body temperature to less than 36.0℃ during the perioperative period in intraoperative warming patients. @*Methods@#In this prospective randomized study, 60 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia lasting less than 120 min were divided into two groups: the 10-min pre-warming group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). Patients in the 10-min pre-warming group were pre-warmed for 10 min in the pre-anesthetic area using a forced-air warmer set at 47ºC. Intraoperatively, we warmed all patients with a forced-air warmer. Body temperature was measured using a tympanic membrane thermometer pre- or postoperatively and a nasopharyngeal temperature probe intraoperatively. Patients were evaluated on the shivering and thermal comfort scale in the pre-anesthetic area and post-anesthesia care unit. @*Results@#The incidences of intraoperative hypothermia and postoperative hypothermia were similar in both groups (10.7% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.177; 10.7% vs. 10.7%, P = 1.000 respectively). Body temperature was higher in the 10-min pre-warming group (P = 0.003). Thermal comfort during the pre-warming period was higher in the 10-min pre-warming group (P < 0.001). However, postoperative thermal comfort and shivering grades of both groups were similar. @*Conclusions@#Ten minutes of pre-warming has no additional effect on the prevention of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in intraoperative warming patients.

The effect of 10 minutes of prewarming for prevention of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia: comparison with 30 minutes of prewarming

BACKGROUND: At least 30 minutes of pre-warming has been recommended for the prevention of redistribution hypothermia. However, it has been reported that less than 30 minutes of pre-warming is also effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of 10 minutes of pre-warming to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. Results were compared with 30 minutes of pre-warming. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 59 patients scheduled for elective surgery less than 120 minutes under general anesthesia were divided into 2 groups: the first group was pre-warmed for 10 minutes (n = 30), the second group for 30 minutes (n = 29). The patients were pre-warmed for 10 or 30 minutes in the pre-anesthetic area using a forced-air warmer. When the patients' body temperatures decreased below 36℃, we warmed them with a forced-air warmer intraoperatively and postoperatively. Body temperatures were recorded during perioperative periods. Shivering and thermal comfort were evaluated in the pre-anesthetic area and post-anesthesia care unit. RESULTS: The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia were not significantly different (P > 0.05). However, the temperatures were higher in the 30 minute group from the post-warming time to 90 minutes after anesthetic induction (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ten minutes of pre-warming has the same effectiveness as 30 minutes of pre-warming for preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. It is a preferable choice for the patients scheduled for surgery less than 120 minutes under general anesthesia.

Prediction of midline depth from skin to cervical epidural space by lateral cervical spine X-ray

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that measuring the distance from the skin to the ligamentum flavum by ultrasound preceding cervical epidural block can be beneficial in excluding false loss of resistance. However, the measurement value using ultrasound may vary depending on the degree of operator experience. Therefore, we aimed to determine the depth from skin to cervical epidural space by using lateral cervical spine X-ray, which is a more intuitive method. METHODS: We enrolled 102 adult patients who were scheduled to undergo cervical epidural anesthesia for vascular bypass surgery of upper arm. After attaching a steel rod on the needle insertion site, lateral cervical spine X-ray was taken before the epidural procedure. We measured the distance from the steel rod to the midpoint of interlaminar space on the spinolaminar line. The X-ray depth was compared with needle depth. RESULTS: Of the 102 enrolled patients, 18 patients including 13 in whom we were unable to measure X-ray depth were excluded from the analysis. In total, 84 patients were included in the analysis. Concordance correlation coefficient between the X-ray-measured depth and needle depth was 0.925. Bland-Altman analysis indicated a mean difference of ± 1.96 SD with 0.06 ± 0.56 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral cervical spine X-ray can be useful for prediction of the midline depth from skin to epidural space, particularly for operators who are not skilled at spine ultrasound or the use the C-arm fluoroscopy.

Suspected anaphylactic reaction associated with sugammadex: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

We describe a case of a 35-year-old male patient who was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and developed a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction 2 min after the administration of sugammadex. He manifested erythematous wheals on the entire body, dyspnea, hypotension, and tachycardia. These symptoms disappeared after the administration of epinephrine. The patient recovered and was discharged at postoperative day 5 without any complications. After 7 weeks, we performed a skin prick test, and there was a weakly positive reaction for sugammadex. This case is suspected anaphylaxis associated with sugammadex, and we need to be aware that the use of sugammadex is associated with a serious risk of anaphylaxis.

Is transverse abdominis plane block effective following local anesthetic infiltration in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair? / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block can be recommended as a multimodal method to reduce postoperative pain in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. However, it is unclear whether TAP block following local anesthetic infiltration is effective. We planned this study to evaluate the effectiveness of the latter technique in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP). METHODS: We randomly divided patients into two groups: the control group (n = 37) and TAP group (n = 37). Following the induction of general anesthesia, as a preemptive method, all of the patients were subjected to local anesthetic infiltration at the trocar sites, and the TAP group was subjected to ultrasound-guided bilateral TAP block with 30 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine in addition before TEP. Pain was assessed in the recovery room and post-surgery at 4, 8, and 24 h. Additionally, during the postoperative 24 h, the total injected dose of analgesics and incidence of nausea were recorded. RESULTS:: On arrival in the recovery room, the pain score of the TAP group (4.33 +/- 1.83) was found to be significantly lower than that of the control group (5.73 +/- 2.04). However, the pain score was not significantly different between the TAP group and control group at 4, 8, and 24 h post-surgery. The total amounts of analgesics used in the TAP group were significantly less than in the control group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of nausea between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: TAP block following local infiltration had a clinical advantage only in the recovery room.

The effect of education on decreasing the prevalence and severity of neck and shoulder pain: a longitudinal study in Korean male adolescents / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Neck and shoulder pain is fairly common among adolescents in Korea and results in significant health problem. The aims of this prospective study was to identify the effects of education, in terms of recognition of this issue and posture correction, on prevalence and severity of neck and shoulder pain in Korean adolescents. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort design was used. The 912 students from two academic high schools in the city of Seoul were eligible for the current study and 887 completed this study. After a baseline cross-sectional survey, students listened to a lecture about cervical health, focusing on good posture, habits, and stretching exercises to protect the spine, and were encouraged by their teachers to keep the appropriate position. And follow-ups were conducted 3 months later, to evaluate the effect of education. RESULTS: The prevalence of neck and shoulder pain was decreased 19.5% (from 82.5 to 66.4%). The baseline mean usual and worst numeric rating scale were 19.9/100 (95% CI, 18.1-21.7) and 31.2/100 (95% CI, 28.7-33.2), respectively. On the follow-up survey, the mean usual and worst numeric rating scale were decreased significantly by 24.1 and 21.7%, respectively, compared with baseline (P < 0.01). Of the 570 students reporting neck and shoulder pain, 16.4% responded that they had experienced improvement during the 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Education; recognition of this issue and posture correction, for cervical health appeared to be effective in decreasing the prevalence and severity of neck and shoulder pain at a 3 month follow-up.

Radiological analysis of the position of epidural catheters in the thoracic epidural space / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Radiological analysis of the position of epidural catheters in the thoracic epidural space / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension Treated with Epidural Blood Patch

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a syndrome caused by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from the spinal dural sac. The most common symptom is a postural headache and other clinical symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia, diplopia, dizziness, and tinnitus. Usually, conservative treatments like hydration, bed rest, and administration of caffeine are recommended first, but epidural blood patch is regarded as the mainstay of treatment in the patients who do not respond to conservative therapy. Epidural blood patch was known that it provides the tamponade and seal of dural sac when performed at the leak site. Our patient was suspected the CSF leakage at cervicothoracic junction, but epidural blood patch was performed in lumbar level and the headache of patient was managed successfully for at least 1 year.

Opioid sparing effect of low dose ketamine in patients with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia using fentanyl after lumbar spinal fusion surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The opioid sparing effect of low dose ketamine is influenced by bolus dose, infusion rate, duration of infusion, and differences in the intensity of postoperative pain. In this study, we investigated the opioid sparing effect of low dose ketamine in patients with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) using fentanyl after lumbar spinal fusion surgery, which can cause severe postoperative pain. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for elective lumbar spinal fusion surgery were randomly assigned to receive one of three study medications (K1 group: ketamine infusion of 1 microg/kg/min following bolus 0.5 mg/kg, K2 group: ketamine infusion of 2 microg/kg/min following bolus 0.5 mg/kg, Control group: saline infusion following bolus of saline). Continuous infusion of ketamine began before skin incision intraoperatively, and continued until 48 h postoperatively. For postoperative pain control, patients were administered fentanyl using IV-PCA (bolus dose 15 microg of fentanyl, lockout interval of 5 min, no basal infusion). For 48 h postoperatively, the total amount of fentanyl consumption, postoperative pain score, adverse effects and patients' satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: The total amount of fentanyl consumption was significantly lower in the K2 group (474 microg) compared to the control group (826 microg) and the K1 group (756 microg) during the 48 h after surgery. Pain scores at rest or with movement, the incidence of adverse events and patient satisfaction were not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose ketamine at 2 microg/kg/min following bolus 0.5 mg/kg significantly reduced the total amount of fentanyl consumption during the 48 h after lumbar spinal fusion surgery without increasing adverse effects.

Awake during General Anesthesia with BispectralIndex Value of 35

Awareness of intraoperative events in patients under general anesthesia is rare, but awareness during anesthesia is a serious complication that leads to anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Bispectral Index (BIS) has generally been accepted as a measurement of hypnosis under anesthesia. It is derived from a processed electroencephalogram and computer algorithm that assigns a numerical value based on the probability of consciousness. A 46-year-old, 65-kg male without underlying disease underwent elective surgery for ventral hernia. The patient in this case was administered an anesthetic that we frequently use and then average BIS value are 35. But he experienced awake during general anesthesia. We describe the first case of intraoperation awake under BIS 40 using desflurane.

Common Peroneal Nerve Palsy by the Use of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device after Hartmann's Operation

Intermittent pneumatic compression device is a standard component for prevention of deep venous thrombosis in immobile patients. This method has been known to be safe with very low rate of complications compared to medical thromboprophylaxis. Therefore, this modality has been used widely in patients who underwent a general surgery. We report a patient who developed common peroneal nerve palsy during the use of intermittent pneumatic compression device after Hartmann's operation.

Temporal linear mode complexity as a surrogate measure of the anesthetic drug effects during sevoflurane anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare the stability, correlation with end-tidal sevoflurane, and area below the effect (AUCeffect) vs. time curves of temporal linear mode complexity (TLMC) and approximate entropy (ApEn) during sevoflurane anesthesia. Another study goal was to characterize the time course of the effects of sevoflurane. METHODS: Electroencephalogram (EEG) parame1ter stability was evaluated using the coefficients of variation (CV) of the median baseline (E0), maximal (Emax), and individual median E0 - Emax values. Correlations between sevoflurane concentration and EEG parameters were tested. AUCeffect vs. time curves of TLMC and ApEn were calculated to quantitate any decrease in central nervous system activities. A sigmoid Emax model was used for pharmacodynamic modeling. RESULTS: TLMC and ApEn demonstrated CVs of 8.36 and 7.35 (for E0) and 19.61 and 13.45 (Emax), respectively. The CVs of the individual median E0 - Emax values were 65.16 for TLMC and 59.97 for ApEn. The Spearman correlation coefficient was -0.3103 for TLMC and -0.3410 for ApEn (P < 0.001 for both parameters). The median AUCeffect value was 338.9 for TLMC and 246.5 for ApEn (P = 0.457). The final pharmacodynamic parameters estimated by sigmoid Emax models were described as follows; E0: 0.614, 0.617, Emax: 0.334, 0.287, Ce50: 5.48, 5.07 vol%, gamma: 1.88, 2.01, ke0: 0.306, 0.236 min (TLMC, ApEn). CONCLUSIONS: TLMC is comparable to ApEn according to the univariate EEG descriptors of the effects of sevoflurane. A sigmoid Emax model well described the pharmacodynamics of sevoflurane for TLMC and ApEn.

The effect of aprepitant for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery with intravenous patient controlled analgesia using fentanyl: aprepitant plus ramosetron vs ramosetron alone / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an aprepitant, neurokinin-1(NK1) receptor antagonist, for reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for up to 24 hours in patients regarded as high risk undergoing gynecological surgery with intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) using fentanyl. METHODS: In this randomized, open label, case-control study 84 gynecological surgical patients receiving a standardized general anesthesia were investigated. Patients were randomly allocated to receive aprepitant 80 mg P.O. approximately 2-3 hours before operation (aprepitant group) or none (control group). All patients received ramosetron 0.3 mg IV after induction of anesthesia. The incidence of PONV, severity of nausea, and use of rescue antiemetics were evaluated for up to 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The incidence of nausea was significantly lower in the aprepitant group (50.0%) compared to the control group (80.9%) during the first 24 hours following surgery. The incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in the aprepitant group (4.7%) compared to the control group (42.8%) during the first 24 hours following surgery. In addition, the severity of nausea was less among those in the aprepitant group compared with the control group over a period of 24 hours post-surgery (P < 0.05). Use of rescue antiemetics was lower in the aprepitant group than in the control group during 24 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients regarded as high risk undergoing gynecological surgery with IV PCA using fentanyl, the aprepitant plus ramosetron ware more effective than ramosetron alone to decrease the incidence of PONV, use of rescue antiemetics and nausea severity for up to 24 hours postoperatively.

The analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The ultrasound-guided transverse abdominis plane block (TAPB) reduces postoperative pain after laparoscopic abdominal surgery. But, its effect post laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP) is not clear. In this study, we evaluated the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided TAPB in TEP. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized study, forty adult patients (ASA I-II) scheduled for a TEP under general anesthesia were studied. In the TAPB group (n = 20), an ultrasound-guided bilateral TAPB was performed with 0.375% ropivacaine 15 ml on each side after the induction of general anesthesia. The control group (n = 20) did not have TAPB performed. Fentanyl 50 microg was repeatedly injected as per the patient's request in the recovery room. Pain scores at rest and on coughing were assessed postoperatively in the recovery room (20 min, at discharge) and at 4, 8, and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: In the recovery room, pain scores (numeric rating scale, 0-10) at postoperative 20 min were lower in the TAPB group (3.9 +/- 1.6, 4.9 +/- 1.8) than the control group (6.9 +/- 1.6, 8.0 +/- 1.6) at rest and on coughing. Also, pain scores upon discharge from the recovery room were lower in the TAPB group (3.2 +/- 1.2, 4.2 +/- 1.5) than the control group (5.3 +/- 1.6, 6.5 +/- 1.8) at rest and on coughing. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound-guided TAPB in patients that had undergone TEP reduced postoperative pain scores and the fentanyl requirement in the recovery room. Also, pain scores on coughing were reduced until postoperative 8 hours.

Suspected Anaphylactic Reaction Associated with Microemulsion Propofol during Anesthesia Induction

Although rare, intraoperative anaphylaxis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Aquafol(R) (Daewon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea), a microemulsion propofol, was developed to eliminate lipid solvent-related adverse events, and was used in clinical anesthesia since 2009 with little data about severe side effects such as anaphylaxis. A healthy 16-yr-old male patient who had past medical history with two previous operations of no complications developed cardiovascular shock with generalized erythema following administration of microemulsion propofol during anesthesia induction. Intravenous injection of epinephrine and steroid rescued him. He remained in a stable state without any problems postoperatively and was discharged. Clinicians should consider this rare but serious complication during induction of anesthesia with propofol.

Is the Spinous Process of T7 Usually at the Same Level as the Inferior Tips of the Scapulae?

OBJECTIVE: Appropriate placement of thoracic epidural catheter provides an adequate postoperative analgesia in chest and upper abdominal surgery. Usually, when thoracic epidural puncture is performed, both scapular lower tips and the thoracic (T)7 spinous process is assumed to be at the same horizontal level. The aim of this study is to identify the thoracic epidural puncture in the sitting position, with the neck flexed and arms crossed, may change the relationship between the thoracic vertebrae and the scapular lower tips. METHODS: One hundred patients with postoperative patient controlled epidural analgesia using thoracic epidural catheters were enrolled. It is presumed that the both scapular lower tips and T7 spinous process is at the equal level when performing thoracic epidural puncture. The actual insertion level of the Tuohy needle was examined by radiography when the patient was in the sitting position. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, there were 62% that were in the same level as the scapular lower tips and T7 spinous process. However, 1% of the patients leveled at T4, 1% at T5, 25% at T6, 18% at T8, and 1% at T9. CONCLUSION: When performing the thoracic epidural puncture under the sitting position, the relationship of the T7 and the scapular lower tips may change. The change of position of scapular lower tips varied among T6.82+/-0.70. Therefore, to be precise, it is advised to utilize C-arm guide when epidural puncture is carried out.

Epidural Catheter Malposition in a Failed Epidural Anesthesia Confirmed by Computed Tomography / 대한통증학회지

We report a case of failed epidural anesthesia despite successful identification of the epidural space, loss of resistance technique, hanging drop method and drip infusion. This case evaluated the use of computed tomography to confirm epidural catheter position, which showed the catheter accidentally positioned at the T2 lamina. Because epidural anesthesia can even after successful procedure using standardized techniques such as loss of resistance, we recommend performing the procedure under fluoroscopic guidance to improve success rate and patient safety.

Triamcinolone Acetonide Paste Applied over the Laryngeal Mask Airway to Reduce the Severity of Postoperative Sore Throat

OBJECTIVE: Topical steroids are a good option for preventing postoperative sore throat (POST). This study examined whether triamcinolone paste applied as lubricant reduces the severity of POST following laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The study enrolled 50 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients who were between 20 and 70 years of age and scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were divided randomly into two groups. Patients in the chlorhexidine group (the placebo group) were inserted with a LMA lubricated with chlorhexidine gluconate jelly, whereas patients in the triamcinolone group were inserted with a LMA lubricated with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide paste. The patients were interviewed 1, 6, and 24 hours after the operation. The incidence and severity of POST and the incidence of cough and hoarseness were recorded. RESULTS: The difference of the POST incidence during the 24 hours after the operation was not significant (34.8% in triamcinolone group vs. 45.5% in chlorhexidine group, P=0.381). The severity score in the triamcinolone group was significantly lower than the chlorhexidine group at 1 hour after the operation (P<0.001). No significant differences were found in the incidence of cough, hoarseness, dysphagia, nausea, or dry throat between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Triamcinolone paste applied as lubricant reduces the severity of POST following LMA insertion.