Pediatric application of cuffed endotracheal tube: a secondary publication translated into Korean

A young child’s larynx was formerly believed to be narrowest at the cricoid level, circular in section, and funnel shaped. This supported the routine use of uncuffed endotracheal tubes in young children despite the benefits of cuffed tubes, such as lower risk for air leakage and aspiration. In the late 1990s, evidence supporting the pediatric use of cuffed tubes emerged largely from anesthesiology studies, while some technical flaws of the tubes remained a concern. Since the 2000s, imaging-based studies have clarified laryngeal anatomy, revealing that it is narrowest at the glottis, elliptical in section, and cylindrical in shape. The update was contemporaneous with technical advances in the design, size, and material of cuffed tubes. The American Heart Association currently recommends the pediatric use of cuffed tubes. In this review, we present the rationale for using cuffed tubes in young children based on our updated knowledge of pediatric anatomy and technical advances.

Comparison of fiberoptic bronchoscopic intubation using silicone and polyvinyl chloride double-lumen tubes / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#Direct insertion of a double-lumen tube (DLT) using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is an option for DLT intubation. The difficult process of fiberoptic intubation is that the different properties of polyvinyl chloride and silicone DLTs may affect railroading differently. Therefore, we aimed to compare intubation using polyvinyl chloride and silicone DLTs over an FOB. @*Methods@#Patients aged 19–75 years who required one-lung ventilation under general anesthesia were enrolled in this study. After induction of anesthesia, the anesthesiologist intubated the DLT using FOB. The primary outcome was the difficulty of railroading over the flexible FOB scaled into five grades (I, II-1, II-2, III, and IV). Additionally, the intubation time and mucosal damage were recorded. @*Results@#A total of 46 patients participated in this study, 23 each in the silicone and polyvinyl groups. The difficulty of railroading over the FOB was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). In the silicone group, the grades of difficulty in railroading were limited to I and II-1; 20 patients (87%) presented no difficulty in advancing the tube. In contrast, in the polyvinyl group, 13 patients (57%) had scores of II-2 and III. Both the intubation time and mucosal damage were significantly better in the silicone group than in the polyvinyl group. @*Conclusions@#Intubation using a silicone DLT over an FOB was easier and faster than that with a polyvinyl chloride DLT with lesser trauma around the glottis.

Paraplegia following cervical epidural catheterization using loss of resistance technique with air: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

We report a case of paraplegia without neurologic deficit of upper extremities following cervical epidural catheterization using air during the loss of resistance technique. A 41-year-old woman diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome had upper and lower extremity pain. A thoracic epidural lead was inserted for a trial spinal cord stimulation for treating lower extremity pain and cervical epidural catheterization was performed for treating upper extremity pain. Rapidly progressive paraplegia developed six hours after cervical epidural catheterization. Spine CT revealed air entrapment in multiple thoracic intervertebral foraminal spaces and surrounding epidural space without obvious spinal cord compression before the decompressive operation, which disappeared one day after the decompressive operation. Her paraplegia symptoms were normalized immediately after the operation. The presumed cause of paraplegia was transient interruption of blood supply to the spinal cord through the segmental radiculomedullary arteries feeding the spinal cord at the thoracic level of the intervertebral foramen caused by the air.

Correction of target-controlled infusion following wrong selection of emulsion concentrations of propofol / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We investigated the correction methods following wrong-settings of emulsion concentrations of propofol as a countermeasure against erroneous target-controlled infusions (TCI). METHODS: TCIs were started with targeting 4.0 microg/ml of effect-site concentration (C(eff)) of propofol, and the emulsion concentrations were selected for 2.0% instead of 1.0% (FALSE(1-2), n = 24), or 1.0% instead of 2.0% (FALSE(2-1), n = 24). These wrong TCIs were corrected at 3 min after infusion start. During FALSE(1-2), the deficit was filled up while injecting after equilibrium (n = 12), or while overriding (n = 12). During FALSE(2-1), the overdose was evacuated while targeting C(eff) (n = 12) or targeting plasma concentration (C(p)) (n = 12). The gravimetrical measurements of TCI reproduced the C(p) and C(eff) using simulations. The reproduced C(eff) at 3 min (C(eff-3min)) and the time to be normalized within +/- 5% of target C(eff) (T(+/-5%)), were compared between the correction methods. RESULTS: During the wrong TCI, C(eff-3min) was 1.98 +/- 0.01 microg/ml in FALSE(1-2), and 7.99 +/- 0.05 microg/ml in FALSE(2-1). In FALSE(1-2), T(+/-5%) was significantly shorter when corrected while overriding (3.9 +/- 0.25 min), than corrected after equilibrium (6.9 +/- 0.05 min) (P < 0.001). In FALSE(2-1), T(+/-5%) was significantly shorter during targeting C(p) (3.6 +/- 0.04 min) than targeting C(eff) (6.7 +/- 0.15 min) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The correction methods, based on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, could effectively and rapidly normalize the wrong TCI following erroneously selections of the emulsion concentration of propofol.

Compression of the left subclavian artery caused by a transesophageal echocardiography probe in an infant with a right-sided aortic arch: A case report

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become an important monitoring device for patients undergoing cardiac or noncardiac surgery. Complications associated with TEE are unusual, but the potential for TEE probe compression of the posterior vascular structures has been reported in baby patients. We present here a case of compression of the left subclavian artery in an infant with a right-sided aortic arch after insertion of a TEE probe.

False selection of syringe-brand compatibility and the method of correction during target-controlled infusion of propofol / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We evaluated volumetric differences of syringe brand compatibilities, and investigated the impact of false brand settings on target-controlled infusion (TCI) and their methods of correction. METHODS: Gravimetric measurement of 10 ml bolus infusions was performed using BD Plastipak (BDP) and Terumo compatible syringes, while setting to 7 different kinds of brand compatibilities (BDP, Sherwood Monoject, BD Perfusion, Braun Perfusor, Braun Omnifix, Fresenius Injectomat, and Terumo). To investigate the performance of TCI using BDP with a false setting to Terumo (BDPTERUMO) and Terumo to BDP (TERUMOBDP), 24 TCI targeting 4.0 microg/ml of effect-site concentration (Ceff) of propofol were performed. Subsequently, another 24 TCI were evaluated for simple corrections of false settings at 30 min. We also investigated 24 TCI using active corrections (fill-up for BDPTERUMO, evacuation for TERUMOBDP) based on the pharmacokinetics of propofol. The Ceff at 30 min of TCI and time to normalize to +/- 5% of target concentration (T+/-5%target) were compared. RESULTS: The Ceff of BDPTERUMO showed negative bias and 17.2% inaccuracy, and the Ceff of TERUMOBDP showed positive bias and 19.5% inaccuracy. The Ceff at 30 min showed no difference between the methods of correction in BDPTERUMO or TERUMOBDP. The T+/-5%target in both the active corrections was significantly shorter than that of each simple corrections (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: False brand setting of syringe proportionally maintained different predicted concentrations as much as the volumetric differences of syringe brand. Based on the results, it is proposed that correction methods based on pharmacokinetics could effectively normalize the differences, without giving up the wrong TCI.

A target-controlled infusion regimen for reducing remifentanil-induced coughs / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the target-controlled infusion (TCI) of remifentanil through stepwise increases in the effect-site concentration (Ceff) in preventing coughs. METHODS: In a preliminary study, we randomly selected 140 patients to receive remifentanil through two-step increases in Ceff (1.0 ng/ml to 4.0 ng/ml: Group R1-4; 2.0 ng/ml to 4.0 ng/ml: Group R2-4). Based on the results of the preliminary study, we employed another sample of 140 patients and implemented a three-step increase in TCI (1.0 ng/ml to 2.0 ng/ml to 4.0 ng/ml: Group R1-2-4). We then compared this treatment with direct targeting based on 4.0 ng/ml TCI (Group R4). We recorded the episodes of coughs, rating them as mild (1-2), moderate (3-4), or severe (5 or more). RESULTS: In Group R1-4, one patient (1.5%) coughed during the first step, and five (7.3%) coughed during the second step. In Group R2-4, nine (13.2%) coughed during the first step, but none coughed during the next step. Only one patient had a mild cough during the three-step increase in TCI, that is, patients in Group R1-2-4 were significantly less likely to cough than those in Group R4 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise increases in the TCI of remifentanil reduced the incidence of remifentanil-induced coughing, and the three-step increase in TCI nearly eliminated remifentanil-induced coughing.

Tongue bite in a patient with tracheostomy after prone position: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

A 22-year-old man underwent an operation for posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine at L3-5. He was ventilated via a tracheostomy site in a prone position for 210 minutes. Ventilator function and eyeballs were checked periodically. After changing his position to supine for the wake-up test, it was noticed that his tongue was self-inflicted and looked to be cut unless immediate decompression was applied. After several manual attempts to open the mouth failed, anesthesia depth was deepened with thiopental sodium and neuromuscular blocker to decompress and reposition the tongue into the intraoral cavity. Minimal teeth marks and scarring remained after seven months without any complications.

Combination of nitrous oxide and lidocaine to prevent withdrawal after rocuronium in children / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Pain at the site of rocuronium injection is a common side-effect in pediatric patients. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study evaluated the efficacy of a combination of nitrous oxide and lidocaine pretreatment on withdrawal response during rocuronium injection in children. METHODS: Sixty six pediatric patients, ages 5 to 12 years, were randomly assigned to two groups. The oxygen group received 100% oxygen, and the nitrous oxide group received 50% N2O in oxygen over 2 min. After anesthesia was induced with 2.5% thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and manual occlusion of the forearm was performed, 1% lidocaine 1 mg/kg was injected over 15 sec. After the occlusion was released, 0.1% rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was injected over 5 sec. Patient response to rocuronium injection was graded using a 4-point scale. RESULTS: Overall incidence of withdrawal movements was significantly lower in the nitrous oxide group (1 patients; 3.1%) than in the oxygen group (8 patients; 25.8%) (P = 0.013). No patient in the nitrous oxide group displayed arm or generalized movement (grade 3 or 4) associated with rocuronium injection. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a combination of inhaled 50% N2O in O2 and 1 mg/kg lidocaine pretreatment significantly reduced the incidence of rocuronium-induced withdrawal movements in pediatric patients compared with lidocaine pretreatment alone.

The Effectiveness of a Three Phase Bone Scan for Making the Diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is still difficult to diagnose in the field of chronic pain management. CRPS is diagnosed by purely clinical criteria based on the characteristic signs and symptoms, which have to be differentiated from similar pain conditions like posttraumatic neuropathic pain. Until now, there has been a lack of objective diagnostic tools to confirm the diagnosis of CRPS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a three phase bone scan (TBS) for making the diagnosis of CRPS. METHODS: A total of 121 patients who had been diagnosed with CRPS were evaluated. All the patients were examined by performing a TBS as a part of the diagnostic work-up. A diffuse increased tracer uptake on the delayed image (phase III) was defined as a positive finding for CRPS. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (33.9%) out of 121 showed the positive results on the TBS. The patients with a duration of pain of less than 24 months had a significantly higher positive result (43.4%) on the TBS than did the patients with duration of pain longer than 24 months (12.1%). CONCLUSIONS: A TBS could give a better objective result for diagnosing CRPS for patients with a shorter duration of pain and a TBS gives little information for the diagnosis of CRPS in patients with a duration of pain longer than 24 months.

The effect of airway obstruction on systolic arterial and central venous pressure during sedation in patients undergoing total knee replacement / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Severe respiratory variations of systolic arterial and central venous pressure (CVP) may increase the risk of embolic event in orthopedic patient. As airway obstruction during sedation can cause this respiratory variation, we evaluated the degree of variations of systolic blood (SBP) and CVP during airway obstruction period. METHODS: Fifteen females who had obstructed airway during total knee replacement (TKR) were included for the study. After regional anesthesia were established, SBP and CVP variations were analyzed according to the three periods; baseline, obstruction, and airway, respectively. Calculated CVP variables were similar to SBP variables as below: DeltaSBP = Expmax (maximal value at expiration) - Inspnadir (minimal value at inspiration), %DeltaSBP = (DeltaSBP/ Exp(max)) x 100. The frequencies of pulsus paradoxus (PP) and negative inspiratory CVP (NIC) were also measured. RESULTS: At obstruction period, DeltaSBP was 21.7 mmHg and 93.3% of patient had PP. Also, DeltaCVP was 19.3 mmHg and 100% of patient showed NIC. %DeltaCVP (140%) was larger than %DeltaSBP (16%). And DeltaCVP was inversely correlated with baseline and obstruction SBP and %DeltaCVP was also inversely correlated with baseline CVP at obstruction period. CONCLUSIONS: During airway obstruction in sedated TKR patients, variations of CVP are larger than those of SBP. So we have to monitor CVP continuously as well as SBP so as not to increase the possible risk of respiratory of variation.

Hemodynamic Changes after Endotracheal Intubation in Patients with Cerebral Aneurysm

BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation with a lightwand intubating device (Trachlight) attenuates the hemodynamic stress response to tracheal intubation compared with a direct laryngoscope approach. We compared the effects of the direct laryngoscope (Macintosh blade) and lightwand for intubation in patients with cerebral aneurysm. METHODS: Twenty-four patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm clipping surgery were randomly divided to either the lightwand (Group 1, n = 12) or the laryngoscope (Group 2, n = 12) Group. All patients received fentanyl (2-3microg/kg), midazolam (0.1 mg/kg), and thiopental sodium (2-3microg/kg) followed by vecuronium (0.1- 0.15microg/kg). The lungs were ventilated with 3-4% isoflurane in oxygen, with 1% lidocaine (1-1.5microg/kg) administered before intubation with either the lightwand or the laryngoscope. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures and heart rate were recorded continuously before and for 5 min after intubation. RESULTS: Systolic and mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly (P < 0.05) 1 minute after intubation, but then returned to normal within the next minute. There were no differences in hemodynamic changes between the two groups, and no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intubation technique did not affect hemodynamic changes in patients with cerebral aneurysm. In patients with aneurysms, appropriate anesthetic levels and pharmacologic manipulation will attenuate the hemodynamic stress response associated with tracheal intubation.

Effectiveness of Cold Stress Thermography in the Diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Despite the enormous amount of basic research on neuropathic pain, there is the lack of an objective diagnostic test for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of cold stress thermography in the diagnosis of CRPS. METHODS: The study involved 12 patients with CRPS type 1, according to the IASP criteria, who were compared with 15 normal healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent thermographic examination under baseline conditions at 21degrees C. A cold stress test (CST; 10degrees C water for 1 minute) was then applied to both hands below the wrists, immediate, and after 10 and 20 minutes. RESULTS: The temperature asymmetry between the patients with CRPS and the volunteers showed significant discrimination at the baseline and after a 20 minute recovery period from the CST. Among the study subjects having temperature asymmetry of both hands of less than 1degrees C (8 out of 12 CRPS patients and 14 out of 15 volunteer), 7 (87.5%) of the 8 CRPS patients and 3 (21%) of the 14 volunteers showed a temperature difference of more than 1degrees C after the 20 minute recovery period. The actual temperature values during the four periods did not discriminate between the patients with CRPS and the volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Thermography, under the CST, could be a more objective test for the diagnosis of CRPS. A temperature asymmetry greater than 1degrees C during the 20 minute recovery period following CST provides strong diagnostic information about CRPS, with both high sensitivity and specificity.

Vertebral Spreading Segments of Cervical Epidural Injection: a Comparative Study with 5 ml and 10 ml of Injected Volume / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Although cervical epidural block can be a useful therapeutic treatment for head, neck and upper extremities pain, there is no consensus regarding the volume of injection required for pain management. Herein, the spreading in the vertebral segments after a cervical epidural injection of either a 5 or 10 ml volume was studied. METHODS: A total of 78 patients, suffering from head, neck and upper extremity pain, were selected. Cervical epidural blocks were performed consecutively with 5 ml (n = 42) and 10 ml (n = 36) of 0.4% mepivacaine and 222 mg I/ml iopamidol at the C7 T1 levels. Both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs were obtained under fluoroscopy, and the upper and lower epidural spreading of the contrast media in relation to the vertebral level was evaluated. RESULTS: The cervical epidural blocks were performed without complications. The rostral spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were 5.6 +/- 1.1 and 6.1 +/- 1.1, respectively. The caudal spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were 5.4 +/- 3.4 and 7.2 +/- 3.9, respectively. The total numbers of segments with vertebral spreading of the contrast media in both directions showed significant differences between the two groups. The numbers of patients who showed spreading of the contrast media up to C2 vertebral segment showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: 5 and 10 ml epidural injection volumes may be adequate for the spread of contrast media to the entire cervical spine. A 5 ml epidural injection volume, compared to a 10 ml volume, may be ample when considering the possibility of unnecessary caudal spreading of drugs and volume related complications in the management of head, neck and upper extremity pain.

The Effect of Remifentanil on the Loss of Consciousness during Propofol Infusion / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia is a balance between hypnosis and analgesia. Remifentanil is often combined with propofol to both induce and maintain total intravenous anesthesia. This study evaluated the effect of remifentanil on the propofol requirements for a loss of consciousness. METHODS: Forty adult patients with ASA 1 or 2 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly given either saline or remifentanil before the induction of anesthesia with an infusion of propofol, 15 mg/kg/h. In the remifentanil group, all the patients received a computer controlled infusion of remifentanil with a effect site concentration of 4 ng/ml. The times required for the patient to lose consciousness, the propofol requirements and the bispectral index at the loss of consciousness to verbal commands were recorded. RESULTS: In the remifentanil group, loss of consciousness was attained significantly faster and with lower propofol doses than in the saline group. The bispectral indices were significantly higher at loss of consciousness in the remifentanil group. CONCLUSIONS: A remifentanil infusion before the induction of propofol anesthesia significantly reduces the propofol requirements for the loss of consciousness. Remifentanil enhances the hypnotic effect of propofol.

The Effectiveness of Foot -Reflexo- Massage on the Postoperative Pain of Gastrectomy Patients / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: The objects of this study were to determine the effects of foot reflexo massage on the postoperative pain of the subtotal gastrectomy patients according to quasi-experimental research design, and to provide demonstrative data for using the foot reflexo massage as an intervention for pain nursing. METHODS: The foot reflexo massages were performed on 34 subtotal gastrectomy patients after informed consent was obtained. They were divided into two groups, i.e. control group (n=17) and experimental group (n=17). After 6 hours and 12 hours from the subtotal gastrectomy, the massage was carried out on each foot for 10 minutes twice. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was employed as the measurement tools of pain, and the degree of postoperative pain was measured through frequency of prn (pro re nata) analgesia in chart review. RESULTS: The experimental group with foot reflexo massage 6 hours after the operation have significantly less score of postoperative pain than the control group (5.76+/-0.83, 4.35+/-1.0, p=.000). The experimental group with foot reflexo massage 12 hours after the operation have significantly less score of postoperative pain than the control group (5.12+/-0.53, 3.00+/-1.17, p=.000). The experimental group with foot reflexo massage have significantly less frequency of prn analgesics than the control group from six hours to twelve hours after the operation (p=.004). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered foot reflexo massage is effective for reducing postoperative pain of subtotal gastrectomy patients, as well as useful for an immediate nursing intervention.

The Effect of Low-dose Ketamine on the Incidence of Emergence Agitation in Preschool Children Receiving Sevoflurane Anesthesia: Comparison with Ketorolac / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Emergence agitation is a common side effect of sevoflurane anesthesia in preschool children. Low-dose ketamine is defined as a bolus dose of less than 1 mg/kg when administered via the intravenous route, and produces potent analgesia without respiratory depression or other side effects. In this study, we examined the effect of low-dose ketamine on the incidence of emergence agitation in preschool children receiving sevoflurane anesthesia and compared this with the effect of ketorolac. METHODS: Sixty eight preschool children receiving sevoflurane anesthesia were randomized to receive either ketorolac 1 mg/kg or ketamine 0.2 mg/kg intravenously before the end of surgery. Emergence agitation was assessed using a 3-point scale (1 = asleep, calm, or mildly agitated but easily consolable; 2 = moderately agitated or restless but inconsolable; and 3 = hysterical, crying inconsolably, or thrashing) during transfer and at 10 minutes after arrival at our postanesthesia care unit. RESULTS: We observed that the incidences of emergence agitation were 30.0%, 45.0% in the ketamine group, and 60.7%, 78.6% in the ketorolac group (P < 0.05) during transfer and at 10 minutes after arrival at the postanesthesia care unit, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to discharge time from the postanethesia care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Emergence agitation after sevoflurane anesthesia in preschool children was significantly reduced by low-dose ketamine as compared with ketorolac without delaying recovery.

The Effect of Timing of Ondansetron Administration on Antiemetic Efficacy in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although ondansetron is effective at preventing and treating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the optimal timing of its administration has not been established. In this study we evaluated the effect of the timing of ondansetron administration on its antiemetic efficacy in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomized to receive placebo (control group, n = 40) or 70microgram/kg of ondansetron prior to induction (Pre-group, n = 36), or 70microgram/kg of ondansetron at the end of surgery (Post- group, n = 36). The incidence of PONV, adverse events, the need for rescue antiemetics, and nausea severity scores were assessed at 0 to 1 hour and 1 to 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: During the first 24 hours after anesthesia, the incidences of PONV in the control, and Pre- and Post-groups were 62.5%, 52.8%, and 52.8%, and there was no significant difference among the groups. During the period 1 hour to 24 hours after anesthesia, the incidences of vomiting (with nausea) and rescue antiemetics were significantly lower in the Pre- and Post-groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). Overall, the incidence of vomiting (with nausea) was significantly lower in the Pre-group than in the control group and the incidence of rescue antiemetics was significantly lower in the Pre- and Post-groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with thyroidectomy, the perioperative administration of 70microgram/kg ondansetron was found to reduce the incidence of vomiting and the need for rescue antiemetics. However, the timing of ondansetron administration did not affect antiemetic efficacy.

Prejunctional Phenomenon during Succinylcholine Onset in Cats / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Succinylcholine (Sch) has been generally reported not to produce tetanic stimulation fade on train of four in phase I block, except phase II block. But, the prejunctional phenomenon of Sch during onset is rarely reported these days, and so we investigated whether the prejunctional phenomenon of Sch during onset exists in cats. METHODS: We checked train of four ratios (TOF-R) and tetanic fade ratios (TF-R) by using a nerve stimulator before and after 50microgram/kg of Sch less than ED95 was administered, and during recovery in anesthetized cats. We analyzed TOF-R and TF-R before drug administration as a control and during onset and recovery time in order to estimate the statistic significance of fade. RESULTS: TOF fade and tetanic stimulation during the onset of Sch appeared like those in the partial block of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockades TOF-R and TF-R during Sch onset compared with those in control and recovery time of Sch had statistical significance (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prejunctional phenomenon appeared only during Sch onset in cats and then disappeared during recovery to the control level.

Usefulness of APACHE III Score on Admission in Relation to the Length of Stay in the ICU / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness of admission and daily acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III score in relation to length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for outcome prediction, 4,554 patients were studied. METHODS: These patients were admitted to the ICU from June 6, 1994 to December 31, 2002. Exclusion criteria included patients being treated for burns, having surgery for coronary artery bypass grafts, having a diagnosis of myocardial infarction, being under 16 years of age and being discharged less than 16 hours after admission. To evaluate the discrimination power of admission and daily APACHE III score, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was computed for each of the initial 16 days of ICU care. RESULTS: Admission APACHE III score loses discrimination power over time, from admission day to day 4 in the ICU, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was above 0.8 and after day 16, it dropped to below 0.7. However, daily APACHE III score maintained discrimination power at about 0.8 over time. CONCLUSIONS: In the early days after ICU admission, admission and daily APACHE III score are useful. With time daily APACHE III scores are more useful than admission APACHE III score.