Comparision between Proximal Gastrectomy and Total Gastrectomy in Early Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcome of proximal and total gastrectomy regarding reflux esophagitis, nutritional state, and anemia in early gastric cancer. METHODS: 94 patients with early gastric cancer were included from January 2001 to January 2007 at Chungnam National University Hospital. Of whom 40 patients (31 men and 9 woman) had proximal gastrectomy (PG) and 54 patients (44 men and 10 woman) had total gastrectomy (TG). We reviewed all their medical and surgical record with surveying for gastrointestinal symptoms and reflux symptoms over the phone. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between basic, surgical, and histopathologic characteristics. Bile reflux symptoms and heart burn symptoms were more common and severe in the TG group. The incidences of endoscopically detected reflux esophagitis were about 60% in the TG group and about 30% in the PG group. The hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the PG group after the operation and were gradually decreased in the TG as the time went. The levels of laboratory variables such as total protein, albumin, and total cholesterol were lower in the TG group than in the PG group after the operation. However, stoma stricture after operation developed in the PG group more often than in the TG group, and esophageal balloon dilatations were performed more frequently in the PG group. CONCLUSIONS: PG is favorable for proximal early gastric cancer in terms of reduced reflux esophagitis, anemia, and malnutrition except the stricture at esophagogastrostomy site.

Comparative Study of Spinal Anesthesia with Bupivcaine and Tetracaine / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Tetracaine has been the most commonly used long-acting spinal anesthetic agent. Recently, hyperbaric bupivacaine was introduced to be useful agent, and has been reported to produce the better quality of anesthesia. The aim of the present investigation was to compare the anesthetic effects of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.5% hyperbaric tetracaine spinal anesthesia. METHODS: 40 ASA Class I patients undergoing lower extremity operation were randomly distributed to two groups. Group A (n=20) received 15mg, 0.5% bupivacaine in 8% glucose, while Group B (n=20) received 15mg, 0.5% tetracaine in 10% glucose in the lateral decubitus position (L3,4 interspace). We evaluated the sensory and motor blockade, cardiovascular effects and the incidence of tourniquet pain. RESULTS: The mean maximum cephalad spread of analgesia was higher in bupivacaine group (T5) than in tetracaine group (T6) and the spread time was more rapid in bupivacaine group (13.1 +/- 3.3min.) than in tetracaine group (15.8 +/- 4.3min.), but there were no statistical significances. Tetracaine group was earlier onset of motor block and the duration of complete motor block in tetracaine group was significantly longer than in bupivacaine group. The mean decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 10% to 25% in both groups and more marked in tetracaine group. The incidence of tourniquet pain was greater in tetracaine group than in bupivacaine group. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of anesthesia obtained with bupivacaine may be superior to that produced by tetracaine. We concluded that 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was suitable for short orthopedic or lower abdominal surgery because of less incidence of hypotension, shorter duration of motor block and lower incidence of tourniquet pain.

A Case Report of Status Myoclonic Seizure after Spinal Anesthesia with Tetracaine / 대한마취과학회지

The subarachnoid injection of local anesthetics to obtain lower limbs anesthesia has been used since 1899 by first August Bier. Transient neurologic complications during and immediately after spinal anesthesia are rare ; however we recently encountered a case of CNS toxicity that was nonspecific and severe in a 30 year old man who had a hemiorrhaphy under spinal anesthesia using tetracaine with epinephrine. The exact cause of seizure attack was unknown, but we suspected it tetracaine induced CNS toxicity due to vascular absorption or cephalard movement in CSF.

The Effects of Flumazenil after Midazolam Sedation during Spinal Anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

The effects of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist were evaluated in a clinical study in which midazolam (0.1 mg/kg) was used as a sedative agent during the spinal anesthesia. Sixty patient were divided into two groups as group F (n=30) and group S (n=30). Flumazenil 0.3 mg (3 mL) in group F and saline 3 mL in group S were administered at the end of surgery. Blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were checked just before and at, 5, 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after the administration of flumazenil or saline. Also we evaluated the level of conciousness and orientation in time and space. The results were as follows; 1) Changes in blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were not different between two groups, exeept SaO2 was which increased significantly in the flumazenil group. 2) The flumazenil group revealed improved level of consciousness and orientation in time and space which began 5 minutes after flumazenil and was maintained 30 minutes thereafter. 3) We could not observe the any side effects of flumazenil.

A Comparison of Epidural Morphine and Nalbuphine for Post - operative Pain Control / 대한마취과학회지

This study was performed to compare the effects of epidural morphine and nalbuphine with general anesthesia for relief of pain after abdominal surgery. Patients were devided into three groups like Group I(General anesthesia), II(Epidural mor- phine) and III(Epidural nalbuphine). Pain score, gas passing and ambulation time were checked in all groups respectively. And side effects inclduing urinary retention and respiratory changes were evaluated too. The results were as follow. 1) The effects of epidural morphine and nalbuphine on pain relief were better than general anesthesia. And the effect of epidural morphine was superior to epidural nalbuphine too. 2) Ambulation time was the shortest in epidural morphine group. 3) Urinary retention, gas pasing time and respiratory changes were similar in a11 groups.