Low concentration continuous femoral nerve block improves analgesia and functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty in spinal anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe pain postoperatively. Femoral nerve block is commonly used for pain control after TKA. This study investigated whether continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) can improve postoperative analgesia and functional outcome as compared to intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) in patients with TKA. METHODS: We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent TKA with spinal anesthesia between March 2014 and February 2015. In Group IV, postoperative pain was managed by IV-PCA. Group CFNB received CFNB-PCA via a device. Thirty patients were enrolled per group. Patient outcomes were assessed by analgesia, functional outcomes, and health-related quality of life factors. RESULTS: Additional analgesics and additional nerve block for adequate pain control were significantly more frequent in the IV than CFNB group (P = 0.015 and P = 0.012, respectively). Range of motion up to 105 degrees was prolonged in the IV group than CFNB group (P = 0.013). EuroQol five dimensions score was improved in the CFNB group than IV group postoperative 3 weeks (P = 0.003). The incidence of transfusion due to postoperative bleeding was significantly frequent in the IV group than CFNB group (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative low concentration continuous femoral nerve block for analgesia after TKA improves analgesia, functional outcomes, and incidence of transfusion without falling risk.

Spinal Cauda Equina Stimulation for Alternative Location of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Intractable Phantom Limb Pain Syndrome: A Case Report

Phantom limb pain is a phenomenon in which patients experience pain in a part of the body that no longer exists. In several treatment modalities, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been introduced for the management of intractable post-amputation pain. A 46-year-old male patient complained of severe ankle and foot pain, following above-the-knee amputation surgery on the right side amputation surgery three years earlier. Despite undergoing treatment with multiple modalities for pain management involving numerous oral and intravenous medications, nerve blocks, and pulsed radiofrequency (RF) treatment, the effect duration was temporary and the decreases in the patient's pain score were not acceptable. Even the use of SCS did not provide completely satisfactory pain management. However, the trial lead positioning in the cauda equina was able to stimulate the site of the severe pain, and the patient's pain score was dramatically decreased. We report a case of successful pain management with spinal cauda equina stimulation following the failure of SCS in the treatment of intractable phantom limb pain.

A Case of Burkholderia cepacia Pneumonia after Lung Transplantation in a Recipient without Cystic Fibrosis / 대한구급학회지

Burkholderia cepacia is a highly virulent pathogen known to cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. It accelerates lung disease and causes necrotizing pneumonia with associated severe sepsis, known as cepacia syndrome. In particular, lung transplant recipients infected with Burkholderia cepacia show higher mortality after lung transplantation than those who are not infected with this organism. Due to broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance, a combination therapy should be used according to the results of the susceptibility test. This bacterial infection is rare in Korea, and no case was reported in lung transplant recipients. However, we report a case of pneumonia caused by Burkholderia cepacia after lung transplantation. As Burkholderia cepacia was grown from a sputum culture, the patient was treated initially with a combination of meropenem and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and then ceftazidime and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole as a result of leukopenia. After antibiotics treatment for 20 days, sputum cultures became negative for Burkholderia cepacia and the patient successfully recovered.

Vulnerability to Minor Stressful Events in Young Women with Premenstrual Syndrome / 신경정신의학

PURPOSE: Although numerous etiological models of premenstrual syndrome(PMS) such as the biochemical, hormonal, psychosocial models have been proposed, there is no consistent conclusion. Especially, in psychosocial model, state-dependent changes in the perception of stressors according to menstrual cycle phases was suggested for PMS. In this study, we investigated relationship between menstrual cycle and daily minor stressors in young women, and vulnerability to minor stressors in young women with PMS. METHODS: 46 female college students completed modified daily rating form(DRF) of premenstrual symptoms which based on DSM-IV criteria for PMDD, and daily stress inventory(DSI) during at least one menstrual cycle. If the mean score of at least one DRF item during premenstrual phase were more than 3 on 6 point scale and 30% increase in symptom severity during premenstrual phase compared with during postmenstrual phase, they were referred as PMS group(N=20), and the others as non-PMS group(N=26). The event, impact, and impact/event ratio scores of DSI were compared in two groups. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with repeated measure ANOVA. And post hoc simple; repeated contrast test were performed when indicated by significant repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS: In all subjects, the event and the impact scores in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. Among the DSI categories, the impact scores of interpersonal problem and cognitive stressors in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. In PMS group, there was a significant difference between premenstrual and postmenstrual phase in the impact score but not in the event score, and the event and the impact scores were significantly increased in menstrual phase than postmenstrual phase. In non-PMS group, the event and the impact scores in premenstrual and menstrual phases were significantly higher than in postmenstrual phase. There was no significant difference in the impact/event ratio scores in both groups. Between the PMS and non-PMS group, there was significant difference in the impact/event ratio scores in premenstrual phase, but not in the event score and the impact scores at any phase. CONCLUSION: Young women may experience more daily minor stressors and may be impacted more severely in premenstrual and menstrual phases than in postmenstrual phase. In premenstrual phase, the young women with PMS are likely to have more vulnerability to daily minor stressors than controls. Further studies using larger sample size with varied age are required.

Maternal and Neonatal Effects of Thiopental Sodium-Enflurane-N2O and Propofol-N2O Anesthesia for Cesarean Section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In anesthesia for cesarean section, thiopental sodium is regarded as the standard induction agent. Propofol, 2,6 di-isopropyl phenol, is a relatively new intravenous anesthetic agent and has been used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia or total intravenous anesthesia. Propofol has properties which suggest that it might be useful alternative to thiopental. METHODS: Forty patients (ASA physical status 1,2) scheduled for cesarean section were randomized to either propofol (n=20) or thiopental group (n=20). In thiopental group anesthesia was induced with thiopental 4-5 mg/kg intravenously and maintained by inhalation of enflurane and nitrous oxide. In propofol group anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg intravenously and maintained by continuous infusion of propofol 6-10 mg/kg/hr and inhalation of nitrous oxide. RESULTS: Systolic and mean arterial pressure were increased significantly in both groups at 1 min after intubation, but degree of increase were less in propofol group. There was no significant difference in diastolic pressure in both groups. Heart rate was increased significantly in both groups at afterinduction, but degree of increase were less in propofol group. The Apgar scores of the neonates and blood gas analyses of umbilical vein were not significantly different in both groups. Maternal recovery from anesthesia was quicker in propofol group. CONCLUSIONS: A propofol infusion coupled with nitrous oxide was proved to be clinically satisfactory anesthesia for cesarean section with no adverse effect on both mother and fetus. Conclusively, propofol would be an excellant alternative to thiopental sodium and inhalation anesthetic in general anesthesia for cesarean section.

The Cardiovascular Effects of Rapid Sequence Induction and Slow Induction in Normotensive Patients / 대한마취과학회지

The circulatory stimulation accompanying laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation and its attendant potential hazards are well recognized. This study was perfomed to compare cardiovascular effects of rapid sequence induction with slow induction during induction of anesthesia and following tracheal intubation with laryngoscope. Eighty six adult patients ASA class I or II, ages 20-55, with no previous history of hypertension and pulmonary diseases that undergoing elective surgery requiring intubation, were admitted to the study. These patients were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1. Rapid sequence induction (n=20) Group 2. Slow induction for 7min. (n=20) Group 3. Slow induction for 10min. (n=21) Group 4. Slow induction for 15min. (n=25) Anesthesia was induced with lidocaine 1.5mg/kg and thiopental sodium 5mg/kg i.v. in a rapid sequence induction in group 1. Tracheal intubation with laryngoscope was facilitated with succinylcholine chloride 1mg/kg iv. Thereafter 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen, 2.0 vol% enflurane, and vecuronium bromide 0.1mg/kg was administered. Group 2, 3, 4 patients received thiopental sodium 5mg/kg iv, vecuronium bromide 0.1mg/kg iv, 2.0 vol% enflurane and 5096 nitrous oxide in oxygen with mask ventilation for 7 min, 10 min and 15 min before intubation with laryngoscope, respectively. After tracheal intubation inhalation of the anesthetic gases were administered. Blood pressure and heart rate measurements and electrocardiography were obtained throughout the study period. Slow induction (Group 2, 3, 4) significantly blunted the increase in heart rate and blood pressure caused by laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation than rapid sequence induction (group 1). Less unwanted effects were observed in group 2 and 3. Therefore, the author suggests that 7-10 minute of slow induction with volatile anesthetics following thiopental sodium injection is more effective in attenuating cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation and laryngoscopy.