Laryngeal Mask Airway in Patient with T-Tube Tracheal Stent who are Undergoing Non-Airway Related Surgery -A case report- / 대한마취과학회지

Some patient with T-tube tracheal stent may need to be anesthetized to be performed the non-airway related surgery. Without removal of the stent, general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in these patents may cause serious complications, such as stent dislodgement, bleeding and breakage of stent. We describe a 43-year-old woman with a T-tube stent in situ, who was anesthetized using Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) for her ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation. We occluded the top end of the LMA, thus employed it as a means of upper airway occlusion, while ventilation continued via the extratracheal portion of the T-tube stent, without any complications.

Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia Treated with Esmolol before Anesthesia Induction: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We describe the case of a 61-year-old woman who manifested with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). She was scheduled with gastrectomy and partial hepatectomy because of stomach cancer metastasis. EKG findings were normal in the preoperative period but she had symptoms of palpitation, restlessness, and a high systolic blood pressure (180 mmHg) in the operating room before anesthesia induction. On her EKGs, we recognized a PSVT characterized by a high pulse rate of 180 beats per minute, a narrow QRS complex of 40 msec, and no P wave. These findings were not terminated by carotid massage or antiarrhythmics (verapamil and lidocaine), but were completely treated by the beta-blocker, esmolol. We consider that esmolol is a good choice for the treatment of PSVT with a narrow QRS complex combined with a high blood pressure in case with known hypertension or that have experienced preoperative anxiety or stress.

Core Temperature Changes according to Premedication / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: It is well known that body core temperature reduces during general anesthesia. Midazolam premedication for relieving anxiety might also reduce body core temperature by inhibiting tonic thermoregulatory vasoconstriction in elderly patients. Therefore, an effort to maintain temperature must be started before anesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate the effect on body core temperature of midazolam, atropine and glycopyrrolate, which are commonly used for premedication. METHODS: Six hundred and eleven patients of ASA physical status 1 or 2, aged 18 to 65, were involved in this study. They were randomly assigned to premedication with: 1) saline control (n = 92); 2) midazolam 0.04 mg/kg (n = 96); 3) midazolam 0.04 mg/kg with glycopyrrolate 0.004 mg/kg (n = 117); 4) midazolam 0.04 mg/kg with atropine 0.01 mg/kg (n = 93); 5) glycopyrrolate 0.004 mg/kg (n = 116); and 6) atropine 0.01 mg/kg (n = 97). All premedication was given intramuscularly about 30 min before operation. Temperatures were measured at the tympanic membrane at the time of premedication and 30 min after premedication. RESULTS: Temperatures increased slightly after injection in the control (0.14 +/- 0.36oC; mean +/- SD) and this increase was less in the midazolam group (0.07 +/- 0.39oC). The changes of temperature in the midazolam with glycopyrrolate (0.16 +/- 0.39oC), midazolam with atropine (0.19 +/- 0.40oC), and in the glycopyrrolate group were no different from that of the control group. However, there was a statistically significant increase in temperature after injection in the atropine group (0.26 +/- 0.42oC) versus the control group. Compared with the midazolam group, a statistically significant increase in temperature was observed in the midazolam with atropine, the glycopyrrolate, and in the atropine group. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, low dose midazolam (0.04 mg/kg), midazolam with glycopyrrolate, and midazolam with atropine for premedication have little affect on temperature. Midazolam with glycopyrrolate premedication is recommended for preserving body core temperature.

BIS and Postoperative Recall for Sevoflurane and Enflurane during Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Generally, 0.6-0.7 MAC of anesthetics are used to minimize the effect of anesthetics on the fetus during cesarean section. Therefore the possibility of awareness is a considerable problem in cesarean section. This study was designed to compare enflurane with sevoflurane in terms of intraoperative bispectral index (BIS) and posoperative recall during a cesarean section. METHODS: Eighty patients of ASA physical status 1 who underwent an elective cesarean section under general anesthesia were investigated in this study. Anesthesia was induced with 4 mg/kg thiopental and 1 mg/kg succinylcholine, and then maintained with O2 (2 L), N2O (2 L) and enflurane 1.0 vol% (n = 40) or sevoflurane 1.2 vol% (n = 40). We monitored BIS throughout the operation and recorded recall by asking the patients 1 day after the operation. RESULTS: BIS values of the sevoflurane group were significantly lower than those of the enflurane group after delivery (P < 0.05). However, no patient could recall intraoperative events postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Even though no patient could recall intraoperative events, high BIS values, which can produce awareness, were detected by 17.5% of patients after delivery in enflurane group. Therefore, sevoflurane is probably a better choice than enflurane in terms of preventing postoperative recall during cesarean section under general anesthesia.

Comparison of Pain of an Intramuscular Injection of Bupivacaine with Different Diluting Solutions / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although used for obtund pain, bupivacaine may itself initially produce pain on injection. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of diluting bupivacaine with normal saline, lactated Ringer's solution, 5% dextrous in water and distilled water on perception of pain associated with intramuscular injection. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy volunteers were involved in this study. Each subject received 4 injections in random order: 0.25% bupivacaine in normal saline, lactated Ringer's solution, 5% dextrous in water and distilled water. Both upper trapezius muscles were used for the intramuscular injection site. Needle size (25-gauge), injection depth (1.5-2 cm), injection volume (2.5 ml), administration speed (0.5 ml/sec), and temperature (room) were controlled for each of the four injections. The intensity of pain was rated on a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale (VAS) score at the point of needle insertion and injecting solutions. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference among each solution in VAS score. However, the VAS scores of drug administration were higher than those of needle insertion in all diluting solutions (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the intensity of pain of an intramuscular injection of bupivacaine between four different kinds of solutions. However, it might be suggested that more effort and investigation will be needed to reduce pain with an intramuscular injection.

Protective Effect of Nitroglycerin on the Ischemia-Reperfusion Model of the Isolated Rat Lung / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury is crucial for successful transplantation of the lung. It has been known that nitric oxide has many favorable effects on the donor lungs but at the same time, has some potential side effects of cytotoxicity. In this regards, we investigated whether the administration of nitroglycerin could decrease ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat lung reperfusion model for the confirmation of the effect of nitroglycerin, a donor of nitric oxide, on lung transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 35 Sprague-Dawley species male white rats were used for this experiment. For nitroglycerin group (n=18), nitroglycerin was administered intravenously followed by mixed in flushing solution for preservation. As a control group (n=17), we used the same amount of normal saline. To evaluate the effect of nitroglycerin on the lung, heart-lung block was obtained, weighed and stored in University of Wisconsin Solution at 10oC for 24 hours. In each group of the isolated lungs, reperfusion was carried out with Krebs-Hensleit-diluted human blood for 60 minutes. As parameters of the state of the isolated lung, peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressures were continuously recorded. Oxygen and carbon dioxide tension of reperfusing blood were measured before and after 30, 60 minutes of reperfusion. After sixty minutes of reperfusion, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was measured also for the evaluation of the degree of alveolar flooding. Lung myeloperoxidase activity was determined to verify the accumulation of neutrophils. RESULTS: Although statistically significant differences were not noted in peak inspiratory and pulmonary arterial pressure between control and nitroglycerin group, latter group showed lowering tendency of pulmonary arterial pressure during the entire reperfusion period. Oxygen tension was higher (p<0.05) in nitroglycerin group compared with that of the control group, in contrast, there were no differences in carbon dioxide tension, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and myeloperoxidase activity between the groups. In the examination of ultrastructural changes, nitroglycerin denoted the protective effect on the pulmonary architecture compared with that of control group. CONCLUSION: Collectively, on the bases of these experimental results, prior treatment of donor lung with nitroglycerin could result in better preservation of the lung. Consequently, these nitroglycerin preserved lungs are thought to be more suitable for successful transplantation of the lung.

Core and Peripheral Temperature Changes with and without Wrapping the Lower Extremity during Open Abdominal Surgery under General Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Core hypothermia after the induction of general anesthesia results largely from core-to- peripheral redistribution of body heat and anesthetic-induced inhibition of tonic thermoregulatory vasoconstriction. Because most metabolic heat is lost via the skin surface, covering the skin surface with an insulator is a way of minimizing heat loss. We therefore evaluated core and peripheral temperature changes with and without wrapping the lower extremity in cotton and elastic bandages during open abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty-five patients of ASA physical status 1 or 2 who underwent open abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were investigated in this study. They were randomly assigned based on wrapping of the lower extremity in cotton and elastic bandages (group 2, n = 37) or not (group 1, n = 48). Anesthesia in both groups was induced with propofol and maintained with enflurane and 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen. The temperatures of the nasopharynx, forehead, chest, back, palm and sole were measured before and 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after induction. RESULTS: Core temperature decreased significantly after the induction of anesthesia in both groups (P <0.05), but no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of core, palm, back and forehead skin temperature changes. However, the core and chest temperatures of group 2 at 150 and 180 min after induction were significantly lower than those of group 1 (P <0.05), and sole temperature changes were significantly different between the groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Wrapping the lower extremity in cotton and elastic bandages during open abdominal surgery under general anesthesia was not effective at preventing the core temperature from decreasing. It is possible that wrapping the lower extremity causes peripheral vasodilation before anesthesia, stimulating the barorecepter, and shifting the body core temperature threshold for hypothermia inducing peripheral vasoconstriction to lower the body core temperature.

Anesthetic Management for Resection of a Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation / 대한마취과학회지

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is an uncommon congenital anomaly. As PAVM is a direct communication between branches of the pulmonary artery and vein, severe hypoxemia, paradoxical embolism, and massive hemorrhage can result. We present a 39-year-old woman with severe hypoxemia after the induction of one lung ventilation (OLV) for resection of a PAVM in her right lower lobe. We analyzed the cause of hypoxemia by an arterial blood gas analysis and estimated shunt equation. The preoperative value of an intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) was 15%. However, after the OLV, the values of Qs/Qt increased to 48% with 92.1% arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2). After the resection of PAVM, the value of Qs/Qt decreased to 36% during the OLV, and postoperative value of Qs/Qt and SaO2 were in the normal range. These findings represent that PAVM patients are prone to severe hypoxemia and an abnormally high Qs/Qt, which might be induced by the increase of pulmonary vascular resistance during OLV.

Comparisons between Classic Shunt and Non-Invasive Shunt in One-Lung Ventilated and Hemodiluted Dogs / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: As the clinical application of non-invasive shunt estimation to operation under one-lung ventilation has not been reported, this study was carried out to evaluate the validity and accuracy of the non-invasive shunt estimations in one-lung ventilation with hemodilution. METHODS: Following general anesthesia with enflurane 0.5 1 vol.% and 100% oxygen in ten Mongrel dogs (B.W. around 16 kg), tracheostomy and insertion of left-side endobronchial tube and one-lung ventilation were performed. Acute normovolemic hemodilution was produced by sequential hemodilution with hydroxyethyl starch. The intrapulmonary shunt (QS/QT) was calculated by the classic shunt equation, by the oxygen contents-based estimated shunt equation, and by oxygen tension-based estimations such as alveolar to arterial oxygen difference (P(A-a)O2), respiratory index (RI, P(A-a)O2/PaO2), arterial oxygen tension to alveolar oxygen ratio (PaO2/PAO2), and PaO2 to FiO2 ratio. To assess the quantitative accuracy of the estimated shunt, the data were divided arbitrarily into two groups on the basis of the mean arteriovenous oxygen content difference (C(a-v)O2) being 3.6 ml/dl or greater (group 1) and less than 3.6 ml/dl (group 2). Relationships to QS/QT were analyzed by simple linear regression. RESULTS: In 104 measurements, the correlation between QS/QT and non-invasive shunt were poor (r = 0.66 - 0.76). However, in group 1 (n = 45), the correlation between QS/QT and the estimated shunt were very good (r = 0.93) and good for P(A-a)O2 (r = 0.83), RI (r = 0.87), PaO2/PAO2 (r = - 0.84), and PaO2/FiO2 (r = - 0.85). In group 2 (n = 58), the correlation between QS/QT and non-invasive shunt were worse than in group 1. Group 2 had lower hematocrit (20.6% vs 26.7 %, P < 0.001), higher cardiac output, and lower pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance than group 1 (P < 0.05). The difference between the estimated shunt and the classic shunt in group 1 remained constant when the classic shunt was increased further. However, the difference in group 2 was enhanced by the increment of the classic shunt. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that even if the non-invasive shunt estimation might be affected by hemoglobin and cardiac output, it is a viable method in mild hemodiluted patients with good cardiovascular reserve.

Effects of Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution on Intrapulmonary Shunt and Systemic Oxygen Delivery Balance during One Lung Ventilation in Dogs / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The present study was done to elucidate the effects of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) on intrapulmonary shunt (Qs/Qt) and systemic oxygen delivery balance during one lung ventilation (OLV). METHODS: To induce one lung ventilation, an atelectasis of the right lung was produced in anesthetized mongrel dogs. In 6 dogs with OLV, ANH was produced by sequential hemodilution with hydroxyethyl starch. ANH was divided into 3 stages (ANH0: no hemodilition, ANH1: first hemodilution, ANH2: second hemodilution). Qs/Qt was measured by using blood gas analysis. Various hemodynamic parameters, oxygen delivery, and consumption were measured or calculated indirectly. RESULTS: After hemodilution, hemoglobin levels at each stage were 9.9 +/- 1.3 g/dl (ANH0), 7.0 +/- 1.0 g/dl (ANH1), and 5.2 +/- 0.7 g/dl (ANH2). The Qs/Qt of ANH2 stage increased from 25.0 11.4% of ANH0 to 35.4 9.2% (P 0.05). Global oxygen delivery was markedly decreased by hemodilution in OLV (P < 0.05), whereas global oxygen consumption was maintained. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that global oxygen delivery balance is preserved by ANH in this study. However, extreme ANH has a deleterious effect on pulmonary gas exchange, possibly through the attenuation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction during one-lung ventilation. On the basis of this study, increased cardiac output generated by ANH might be the cause of inhibition or blunting of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Lidocaine Pretreatment with Tourniquet Inflation Ameliorate Pain on Injection of Propofol / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Venous lidocaine retention with tourniquet has a possibility to prevent propofol injection pain efficiently. We performed the study to assess the efficacy of various intravenous lidocaine pretreatment methods with tourniquet on reducing propofol-induced injection pain, especially the effect of varying the concentration and dose of lidocaine. METHODS: In order to know the effect of lidocaine pretreatment with tourniquet on prevention of propofol-induced injection pain, one hundred patients were divided into four groups by the method of pretreatment; 1% lidocaine of 1 mg/kg (lidocaine pretreatment, LPT1 n = 25); 0.5% lidocaine of 1 mg/kg (LPT2, n = 25); 1% lidocaine of 0.5 mg/kg (LPT3, n = 25); 5 ml of saline pretreatment (saline pretreatment, SPT, n = 25). After 5 minutes of pretreatment, propofol-induced pain was measured immediately after injection of 1 mg/kg propofol with tourniquet inflation and after deflation of tourniquet, and after a second injection of 1 mg/kg propofol by use of the numerical rating scale and pain score of four categories. We selected maximal values of three times measurement for comparison. RESULTS: All groups of lidocaine pretreatment (pain incidence of LPT1; 20%, LPT2; 16% and LPT3; 36%, respectively) significantly reduced the incidence of propofol-induced injection pain compared to the saline pretreatment group (96%) (P 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates that lidocaine pretreatment with tourniquet has an effect on the prevention of propofol-induced injection pain. However, we recommend pretreatment with 0.5 1% lidocaine of 1 mg/kg by use of tourniquet and propofol injection immediately after deflation of the tourniquet in practice.

Expiratory Unidirectional Valve Malfunction Detected by Capnographic Waveform Change: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Unidirectional valve (UDV) malfunction causes rebreathing of expired gas during anesthesia. However, the resultant hypercarbia without hypoxemia by UDV malfunction is not easily detected. We experienced a case of severe hypercarbia which caused by sticking expiratory valve at 45 minutes after the induction of anesthesia, in spite of checking UDV function preoperatively. In this case, expiratory UDV malfunction was diagnosed with the change of capnographic waveform. And so, we recommend monitoring of capnographic waveform during every anesthesia, in addition to preoperative UDV checking.

Tracheal Puncture and Endotracheal Tube Cuff Perforation as a Complication of the Subclavian Vein Catheterization: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Subclavian venous catheterization is common technique for a variety of purposes, but this procedure is associated with complications that include damage to the lung, pleura, thoracic duct, nerve and subclavian artery. We recently encountered a case of the tracheal puncture and endotracheal cuff perforation during the subclavian catheterization in a 67-year-old female who was scheduled for tracheal reconstruction. Tidal volume was escaping from around the endotracheal tube during the subclavian catheterization, however, repeated inflation of the cuff failed to maintain the necessary cuff pressure to seal the trachea. After the operation, by using the fiberoptic bronchoscope and injecting dye into the cuff, we confirmed the site of tracheal puncture and endotracheal cuff perforation which caused by the introducer needle of the central venous kit. We suggest that tracheal puncture and endotracheal cuff perforation be added to the list of complication of subclavian catheterization. This complication should be suspected whenever the cuff pressure cannot be maintained during or after an subclavian catheterization.

The Effects of Combined Spinal Epidural Anesthesia on Subarachnoid Block for Lower Extremity Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSE) often produces a more extensive spinal block than expected. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of CSE on subarachnoid block in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery. METHODS: Thirty-three patients who undergone lower extremity surgeries were randomly allocated to three groups of 11 patients each. Using needle through needle technique, all patients received a subarachnoid injection of hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine 1.6~2.0 ml through a 25G Whitacre spinal needle. Group 1 received no extradural injection for 25min, but group 2 and 3 received extradural saline 10 ml and bupivacaine 10 ml 5min after the subarachnoid injection, respectively. Levels of sensory and motor block were assessed at 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min after subarachnoid injection. RESULTS: The median values of maximum sensory block level were T7 in all groups. Levels of sensory blockade and the time to onset of maximum sensory blockade were similar among the three groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of motor block among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that extradural saline 10 ml or 0.5% bupivacaine 10 ml which injected 5min after subarachnoid injection does not significantly influence the level of subarachnoid block in lower extremity surgical patients. However, further study is required to declare the safety or optimal dose of extradural injection during CSE.

Amniotic Fluid Embolism during Dilatation and Curettage in a Second Trimesteric Missed Aborted Pregnant Patient / 대한마취과학회지

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but devasting obstetric emergency. We experienced a case of AFE during dilatation and curettage (D & C) in a 15 2/7 weeks pregnant woman, age 30, who was diagnosed as having a missed abortion. Sudden rapid hypoxemia, low SpO2, hypotension, low PETCO2, high CVP, and tachycardia, right axis deviation and right bundle branch block in 12 leads ECG were developed during D &C under general anesthesia, and signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) followed after the operation, which are consistent with the findings of AFE. Even though there was no definite pathologic and radiologic confirmation of AFE, laboratory findings showed 100 times higher level of alpha-fetoprotein in her central venous blood than same weeks of missed abortion woman's blood. Though it is rare, the anesthesiologist should always suspect the possibility of AFE, when the patient shows an unexplained collapse, cyanosis, low PETCO2, high CVP, low SpO2, ECG change and DIC during any kind of obstetric procedure.

Cervical Subcutaneous Emphysema Occured by Unexpected Difficult Endotracheal Intubation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Subcutaneous emphysema is one of the rare complication of tracheal intubation and it's mechanism has been known as airleakage to subcutaneous tissue from the perforated site of larynx, trachea and esophagus by the trauma of laryngoscopic blade, stylet and endotracheal tube. We experienced a case of subcutaneous emphysema during unexpected difficult endotracheal intubation. At the initial laparoscopic examination, the patient's laryngeal view was grade IV of Cormack and Lehane's calssification. After several trial of the intubation, cervical subcutaneous emphysema developed by the trauma of laryngoscopic blade, stylet and endotracheal tube, even though failed to confirm the perforated site at postanesthesia one day.

Unilateral Phrenic Nerve Block after Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block / 대한마취과학회지

The incidence of phrenic nerve block following brachial plexus block, performed above clavicle, have varied widely. However, respiratory difficulty due to unilateral phrenic nerve block is rare complication of brachial plexus blocks, We experienced a case of symptomatic unilateral phrenic nerve block after supraclavicular approsch in thirty-four-year old woman. For brachial plexus block, 30 ml of 1.5% lidocaine and 0.2 mg of epinephrine were injected. Twenty five minutes after injection, she complained of respiratory difficulty. At recovery room, she complained sharp chest pain at apex of heart and epigastrium. We diagnosed her case as right phrenic nerve block because her right diaphragm was normal contour but was markedly displaced upward in portable chest X-ray. Respiratory difficulty was recovered 5 hours after injection and her chest pain was recovered 9 hours after injection.

Effects of Alkalinization of Local Anesthetics on Anesthetic Action in Epidural Anesthesia for Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

Several studies have indicated that the addition of sodium bicarbonate and opioid to soiutions of locl anesthetics shortens the onset time,increases the intensity and prolongs the duration of neural blockade. This study was performed to compare onset times and duration of neural blockade in each groups. Eighty-two parturients scheduled for cesarean section at term under epidural anesthesia were assigned to three groups. Group 1 (n=19) received 1.5% lidocaine hydrochloride (pH 6.32+/-0.01), group 2 (n=26) received 1.5% lidocaine hydrochloride plus fentanyl 50 mcg (pH 6.27+/-0.02) and group 3 (n=37) received l.5% lidocaine hydrochloride plus fentanyl 50 mcg plus 8.4% sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate l mEq/lidocaine 10 ml)(pH 7.32+/-0.03). All groups were given 22-28 ml of local anesthetic solutions according to their height. Onsei times and duration of sensory blockade were evaluated using pin prick test at two minutes interval after epidural injection at L2, 76, T4 dermatomes. Onset timcs (time between the completion of anesthetic injection and loss of pin prick sensation at each dermatome) of sensory blockade at L2 dermatome were 3.1+/-0.2 minutes in Group 3, which were shorter than 5.0+/-0.3 minutes in Group l and 4.7+/-0.4 minutes in Group 2 (p<0.05). At T6 dermatome, onset times of sensory blockade were 6.9+/-0.6 minutes in Group 3, which were shorter than 15.4+/-1.2 minutes in Group l and 12.9+/-1.0 in Group 2 (p<0.05). At T4 dermatome, onset times of sensory blockade were 10.l+/-0.2 minutes in Group 3, which were shorter than 22.3+/-1.2 minutes in Group 1 and 18.8+/-1.1 in Group 2 (p<0.05). The duration (time between loss of pin prick sensation and complete recovery of pain at each dermatome) of sensory blockade at T4 dermatome in Group 3 were 74.0+/-3.8 min, which were longer than 52.9+/-2.4 minutes in Group 1 and 52.7+/-1.4 minutes in Group 2 (p<0.05). The duration of sensory blockade at L2 dermatome in Group 3 were 119.6+/-4.4 minutes,which were longer than 78.6+/-4.8 minutes in Group 1 and 81.6+/-2.5 minutes in Group 2 (p<0.05). The above results suggested that alkalinization of lidocaine solution is an effective way to shorten the latency and to prolong the duration of epidural block for cesarean section.

Incidence of Venous Air Embolism Ddetected by Ultrasonic Doppler during Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

Venous air embolism(VAE) can occur by the entry of air into open veins, being facilitated if the operative field is above the level of the heart. Among the many diagnostic methods, precordial ultrasonic Doppler is currently the more sensitive. Thus we have attempted to define the incidence of VAE using this device. 103 ASA physical status 1 or 2 parturients undergoing Cesarean section with general anesthesia in 73 parturients and epidural anesthesia in 30 parturients were studied with the ultrasonic Doppler transducer placed parasternally over the 4th right intercostal space. Total incidence of venous emboli was 31%(32/103) during surgery. In some parturients, embolism occurred more than once during operation and leaded to total 45 episodes of venous emboli. The incidence of venous emboli was 26%(19/73 ) during general anesthesia and 43.3%(13/30 ) during epidural anesthesia. No statistical difference existed in the incidence of venous emboli detected related to the type of anesthesia. Among the 45 episodes of venous emboli, 19 episodes(42.2%) were detected during repair of the hysterotomy. As even small air bubbles in the circulation are potentially harmful especially in patent foramen ovale and emboli events may occur at risk cases involving profound hypovolemia, abruptio placenta, or placenta previa, clinically insignificant venous air emboli, although low, is still worrisome. Thus above the cases, the use of additional precordial Doppler monitoring may be considered during cesarean section to detect VAE promptly, efficiently.

Acid-Base and Blood-Gas Status of Newborn Umbilical Blood according to Induction-Delivery and Uterine Incision-Delivery Intervals under General Anesthesia for Cesaeran Section / 대한마취과학회지

In cesarean section under general anesthesia, inhalation anesthetics may compound fetal acidosis brought by maternal hypoxia or uteroplacental insufficiency. The chance af fetal distress may be increased with prolonged induction-delivery (ID) and uterine incision-delivery (UD) intervals in such cases. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the changes of fetal acid-base and blood-gas status according to these intervals in 58 parturients given cesarean section under general anesthesia. 58 neonates were divided into three groups according to their ID interval [group 1 (N=26): less than 6 minutes, group 2 (N=25): 6 to 10 minutes, group 3 (N=7): 10 to 15 minutes] and four groups according to their UD interval[group A (N=25): less than 60 seconds, group B (N=22): 60 to 90 seconds, group C (N=9): 90 to 120 seconds, group D (N=2): 120 to 180 seconds]. The pH, PCO2, PO2 and HCO3 values of the umbilical vein blood at delivery in the groups 1, 2, 3 divided according to ID intervals were 7.37+/-0.03, 7.36+/-0.04, 7.36+/-0.03; 39.75+/-4.83, 41.76+/- 4.03, 38.81+/-2.31; 34.35+/-745, 32.65+/-9.63, 30.89+/-11.28 (in mmHg); and 23.21+/-0.33, 23.30+/-0.26, 22.15+/-0.52 (in mEq/L), respectively, and in groups A, B, C, D divided according to UD intervals, they were 7.37+/-0.02, 7.37+/-0.02, 7.37+/-0.03, 7.36+/-0.06; 40.30+/-5.20, 40,63+/-3.11, 39.96+/-4.42, 40.03 +/-5.09; 32.35+/-8.23, 31.82+/-0.17, 35.67+/-8.35, 33.53+/-10.53 (in mmHg); and 23.14+0.26, 23.60+/-0.36, 22.88+/-0.67, 23.35+/-0.35 (in mEq/L), respectively. No significant differences in these values were present between these ID- or UD- based groups.