A prospective, comparative evaluation of axillary hair removal with an 808-nm diode laser at different fluences

BACKGROUND: Diode lasers are the gold standard for removing unwanted hair. Lowering the energy should result in less pain and could theoretically affect therapeutic efficacy. This study evaluated the efficacy of an 808-nm diode laser at different fluences for permanent axillary hair removal in Korean women. METHODS: Twenty-four Korean women were divided into two groups. Each patient received laser treatment at both axillae, which were divided into upper and lower parts. Each part received different fluence from an HR808 prototype diode at 1-month intervals: 8, 10, 12, and 14 J/cm². Hair count and thickness were recorded at each follow-up visit and at a 3-month follow-up after the final laser treatment by photography and using a folliscope. At the final visit, pain and patient satisfaction were surveyed. Three plastic surgeons assessed the results on photographs. RESULTS: The mean hair follicle density reduction was 62.18%, 65.28%, 73.08%, and 78.29% on the right upper side, right lower side, left upper side, and left lower side, respectively. The mean hair follicle thickness reduction was 45%, 48%, 54%, and 59% on the right upper side, right lower side, left upper side, and left lower side, respectively. In the plastic surgeons' assessment, the left upper and lower sides scored 2.71. The right upper and lower sides scored 2.38 and 2.04, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High-fluence (14 J/cm²) treatment with an HR 808 prototype diode laser efficiently removed unwanted hair. No significant difference in comfort was reported compared to the low-fluence mode (8–10 J/cm²).

Oxycodone vs. fentanyl in the treatment of early post-operative pain after total knee replacement: randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Total knee replacement is often accompanied by severe post-operative pain. Oxycodone has sufficient analgesic effects and somewhat greater, but tolerable side effects compared to fentanyl. However, most studies on the topic evaluate visceral pain relief. In this study, we determine the effectiveness of oxycodone for somatic pain and evaluate the incidence of side effects. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were involved in a randomized control trial. Analgesic agents were administered to two experimental groups at a post anesthetic care unit (PACU) 15 min after PACU admission: a 50 µg fentanyl group (n = 40) and a 4 mg oxycodone group (n = 29), both with severe pain (numeric rating scale, NRS > 5). Changes in NRS at the PACU were measured. Additional analgesic agents were administered at 0–6, 6–12, 12–24, and 24–48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Total fentanyl consumption and the number of patients who required additional opioids were significantly lower in the oxycodone group than in the fentanyl group. Incidence of side effects was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oxycodone shows a better analgesic effect than fentanyl in somatic pain in the acute phase of post-operative pain. The side effects of oxycodone are not significantly different from those of fentanyl.

How to get away from the cold: body temperature during surgery / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

The effect of preemptive intravenous ketamine on postoperative pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with intra articular ropivacaine injection

BACKGROUND: A low dose of ketamine can be an effective preemptive analgesic by preventing central sensitization when administered before surgical trauma. In this study, we assessed the preemptive analgesic effect of low-dose ketamine administered intravenously to patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with intra articular ropivacaine injection. METHODS: This randomized, double-blinded study included fifty-six patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Normal saline (group C) or 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine (group K) was injected intravenously before the skin incision. An intra articular injection using 20 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine was performed in both groups just before wound closure by the surgeon at the end of the surgery. Postoperative pain was assessed by the numeric rating scale (NRS) in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. The total dose of fentanyl consumption and side effects were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the C and K groups for the NRS of pain in the PACU and at 12, 24, and 48 hours after the surgery. In addition, there was also no significant difference in total fentanyl consumption between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive ketamine did not reduce preemptive pain scores and fentanyl consumption in patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with intra articular local anesthetic injection. Therefore, more aggressive and multimodal pain control is required in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery regardless of the use of preemptive intravenous ketamine injection.

Preventive effect of ketamine gargling for postoperative sore throat after endotracheal intubation

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a relatively common complication after endotracheal intubation, and various methods has been proposed to prevent it. In the present study, we assessed the effectiveness of ketamine gargling for reducing POST. METHODS: This study was conducted in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and single-blinded manner. The study populations consisted of 40 patients between 20 and 60 years old who were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II and were scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients in group K received ketamine (1 ml, 50 mg) in normal saline (29 ml), and they gargled with the given solution for 30 s before induction. Patients in group C received normal saline (30 ml) and gargled it for 30 s before induction. All patients were interviewed 1, 6, and 24 h after the operation. The visual analog scale (VAS) score of POST was checked. RESULTS: The VAS scores of POST were significantly lower in group K than in group C at 1 and 6 h after the operation. However, there were no significant differences in VAS scores at 24 h after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ketamine gargling temporarily reduced POST in patients that underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Variant angina associated with myocardial bridging and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after lumbar spine surgery / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Variant angina associated with myocardial bridging and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after lumbar spine surgery / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.