Optimal Dose of Remifentanil and Propofol TCI for Minimizing Cardiovascular Changes to Tracheal Intubation during Total Intravenous Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal dose of remifentanil and propofol for minimizing the cardiovascular changes to tracheal intubation during total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) using propofol target controlled infusion (TCI). METHODS: One hundred thirty five patients, aged 20-60 years, were randomly divided into three groups. Anesthesia was induced with remifentanil, propofol and rocuronium 1 mg/kg for intubation. Group I received remifentanil 0.1microgram/kg/min and a propofol target concentration 4microgram/ml. Group II received remifentanil 0.2microgram/kg/min and propofol 4microgram/ml. Group III received remifentanil 0.2microgram/kg/min and propofol 3microgram/ml. Remifentanil was infused continuously, and 2 minutes after remifentanil infusion, propofol was infused continuously. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at pre-induction, 1 minute after remifentanil infusion, before propofol TCI, immediately before and after intubation and 1, 2, 3 minutes after intubation, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with pre-induction values, MAP at immediately after intubation was significantly increased in group I, but decreased in group II, with no change in group III. The HR immediately after intubation was significantly increased after intubation in all groups compared to the pre-induction values, but the rate of increase of HR in groups II, III were significantly lower than those of group I (p < 0.05). Hypotension was observed in 6 patients in group II and 3 in group III. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil 0.2microgram/kg/min and the propofol target concentration 3microgram/ml are optimal doses for minimizing cardiovascular changes and side effects to tracheal intubation during TIVA.

Cancer Pain Management by Continuous Epidural Morphine Infusion via Subcutaneous Tunneling / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Most terminal cancer patients suffered from intractable pain. For the treatment of these patients, opioids, via various routes, are usually administered. Continuous epidural opioid, especially morphine, administration is a good method for the management of intractable cancer pain. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 347 terminal cancer patients, who had been treated with continuous epidural morphine infusion, between 1999 and 2004. For the epidural infusion, an epidural catheter was inserted, tunneled subcutaneously and exited from the anterior chest or abdomen. Multiday Infursor(R) (Baxter, 0.5 ml/h) was used for the continuous infusion. RESULTS: Of the 347 patients studied, there were 211 males and 136 females. The mean treatment time was 54.7 days, ranging from 5 to 481 days. The mean starting and termination doses of morphine were 32.4 (for 5 days) and 100.0 mg, respectively. The doubling time of the morphine dose was 26.3 days, corresponded to a 3.8 percent increase per day. Incidental catheter removal was the most common side effect, which occurred 130 times in 61 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure of epidural catheterization, with subcutaneous tunneling, was simple and inexpensive. Despite the disadvantages, such as incidental catheter removal, it is a useful method for the control of terminal cancer pain.