Successful airway management with combined use of McGrath® MAC video laryngoscope and fiberoptic bronchoscope in a severe obese patient with huge goiter: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Huge goitor can lead to tracheal compression and hence difficulty in intubation. This is compounded by severe obesity. Failed tracheal intubation in difficult intubation is a serious event that may lead to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Current intubation rescue techniques and combination of different rescue techniques may increase the success rate of difficult intubation. In a 47-year-old female patient, with severe obesity and a huge goiter, our attempts at intubation using direct laryngoscope, video laryngoscope, and awake fiberoptic bronchoscope had failed. We succeeded by applying video laryngoscope to improve visualization of the airway and fiberoptic bronchoscope as a stylet for endotracheal tube.

Hemoptysis during general anesthesia in a diabetic patient with healed tuberculosis: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Hemoptysis is a common complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. Most of the cases of hemoptysis originate from hypertrophied bronchial arteries. Also, diabetes induces pulmonary vascular abnormalities such as endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory infiltration and pulmonary vascular remodeling. A 27-year-old male, with diabetes and a history of tuberculosis, underwent the procedure of pars plana vitrectomy under general anesthesia. After an uneventful intra-operative period, he had hemoptysis prior to extubation. Emergency fiberoptic bronchscopy showed blood plugs and spotted fresh blood at the right upper lobar bronchus. After successful embolization of the bronchial artery, the patient made a recovery and was discharged without experiencing any complication. Predisposing factors of hemoptysis in this case are presumed to be tuberculosis and diabetes. The bleeding might had been caused by the rupture of a weakened artery within the cavity in the right upper lobe, through expansion of the lung during manual ventilation by positive pressure.

Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve) palsy after arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia combined with sono-guided interscalene brachial plexus block: A case report

Neurologic complications after shoulder surgery may result from surgical procedures or anesthesia. Hypoglossal nerve is a pure motor nerve that supplies mylohyoid and hyoglossus muscles. Isolated hypoglossal nerve injury may be caused by direct trauma, head malposition (hyperextension or hyperflexion), and indirect compression or traction during intubation. We report a case of left hypoglossal nerve palsy after arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in the beach chair position under general anesthesia combined with brachial plexus block.

Fatal cardiac thromboembolism in a patient with a pacemaker during ureteroscopic lithotripsy for ureter stone: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

Intracardiac thrombosis is an infrequent and fatal complication in patients with an inserted pacemaker. A patient with an inserted pacemaker scheduled for ureter stone removal experienced cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation under general anesthesia. Echocardiography showed multiple intracardiac thrombi. Preoperative diagnostic workup including echocardiography for the detection of pacemaker lead thrombus, and the need for anticoagulation should be considered in patients with an inserted pacemaker and high-risk factors for thrombosis.

Leg Weakness Caused by Bilateral Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Report

Piriformis syndrome (PS) is an uncommon neuromuscular disorder caused by the piriformis muscle (PM) compressing the sciatic nerve (SN). The main symptom of PS is sciatica, which worsens with certain triggering conditions. Because the pathophysiology is poorly understood, there are no definite diagnostic and therapeutic choices for PS. This case report presents a young woman who mainly complained of bilateral leg weakness. Electromyography revealed bilateral sciatic neuropathy and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed structural lesions causing entrapment of the bilateral SNs. After a laborious diagnosis of bilateral PS, she underwent PM releasing surgery. Few PS cases present with bilateral symptoms and leg weakness. Therefore, in such cases, a high level of suspicion is necessary for accurate and prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Tracheal granuloma after thyroidectomy with difficult intubation / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Transient unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation in elderly patient with the abdominal surgery: A case report

Vocal cord paralysis is one of the most serious complications, which, in most situations, is preventable, associated with tracheal intubation. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis following tracheal intubation usually causes hoarseness. Postoperative vocal cord paralysis may be due to mechanical or neurogenic factors. The patient complained of hoarseness one day after operation and coughing on swallowing water ten days after operation. The vocal cords were examined with a fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and the right vocal cord was fixed in the paramedian position. We present a case of unilateral vocal cord paralysis following endotracheal intubation in a 71-year-old male patient with descending colon carcinoma and left renal cell carcinoma.

Airway fire injury during rigid bronchoscopy in a patient with a silicon stent: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Therapeutic bronchoscopy is widely employed as an effective first-line treatment for patients with central airway obstructions. Airway fires during rigid bronchoscopy are rare, but can have potentially devastating consequences. Pulmonologist and anesthesiologist undertaking this type of procedure should be aware of this serious problem and be familiar with measures to avoid this possibly fatal complication. We report the case of a 24-year-old patient with a silicone stent who experienced an electrocautery-induced airway fire during rigid bronchoscopy.

The accidental renal artery embolism in patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease with unilateral renal atrophy during aortobifemoral bypass graft: A case report

Aortoiliac occlusive disease occurs commonly in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Aortofemoral bypass is the most common surgical procedure to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease. Intraoperative renal artery embolism is rare complication that may occur during aortofemoral bypass in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease. It is very important to prevent the risk of subsequent renal artery thrombotic or atheromatous embolism during aortofemoral bypass in patients with juxtarenal aortic occlusion because of accidentally dislodging fragments or atheromatous emboli into the renal arteries. Emboli to one or more major renal arteries are an occasional cause of renal failure. We report a case of renal artery embolism in patient with aortoiliac occlusive disease and unilateral renal atrophy during aortobifemoral bypass graft.

The two stage flexible fiberoptic bronchoscoptic awake intubation in a patient with the symptomatic vallecular cyst: A case report

Large symptomatic vallecular cyst is rare, but may cause difficulty or inability in conventional tracheal intubation during induction of general anesthesia. A flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is the most useful general purpose aid to awake intubation in the patient with a known difficult airway. We experienced a case of flexible video image fiberoptic bronchoscopic awake orotracheal intubation in a patient with the large symptomatic vallecular cyst. A 35-year-old male suffered from foreign body sensation, voice change and dyspnea one month after upper respiratory tract infection. The two step flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic approach was performed in the management of a known difficult intubation due to a vallecular cyst. We had an uneventful general anesthesia for removal of large symptomatic vallecular cyst because we anticipated difficult intubation.

The two stage flexible fiberoptic bronchoscoptic awake intubation in a patient with the symptomatic vallecular cyst: A case report

Large symptomatic vallecular cyst is rare, but may cause difficulty or inability in conventional tracheal intubation during induction of general anesthesia. A flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope is the most useful general purpose aid to awake intubation in the patient with a known difficult airway. We experienced a case of flexible video image fiberoptic bronchoscopic awake orotracheal intubation in a patient with the large symptomatic vallecular cyst. A 35-year-old male suffered from foreign body sensation, voice change and dyspnea one month after upper respiratory tract infection. The two step flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic approach was performed in the management of a known difficult intubation due to a vallecular cyst. We had an uneventful general anesthesia for removal of large symptomatic vallecular cyst because we anticipated difficult intubation.

The effects of callander modification of laryngoscopic blade on hemodynamic changes according to the degree of difficult airway / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are known to have profound cardiovascular effects. The Callander modification of Macintosh blade is associated with greater field of laryngoscopic view and decreased risk of dental contact. The purpose of this study was to compare the hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation according to the degree of difficult airway, and to evaluate the usefulness of Callander modification of Macintosh blade for attenuating the hemodynamic responses. METHODS: One hundred, forty-eight patients scheduled for elective surgery were divided into Easy group and Difficult group by Wilson's risk sum score. Laryngoscopy was performed using either an ordinary Macintosh No. 3 blade or the modified Macintosh blade. The modification consisted of reducing the height of the flange by partial removal, as described by Callander et al. Hemodynamic variables (systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product) were noted before induction (baseline) and immediately after intubation. RESULTS: The hemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation in Difficult group were significantly greater than those in Easy group (P < 0.05). When using the modified blade, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure after tracheal intubation were lower than those using the conventional blade regardless of Wilson's risk sum score, but no statistical significances could be found. CONCLUSIONS: The hemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation increased as the degree of airway difficulty increased. Laryngoscopy with the Callander's modified blade did not reduce the degree of hemodynamic stimulation compared with the conventional Macintosh blade.

Ileus after ketamine anesthesia in pediatric patient : A case report

Ketamine is a rapidly acting dissociative anesthetic that can be administered as a sole agent, an induction agent, or a supplement to low potency anesthetic agents.It is usually used for the minor surgery or outpatient surgery in pediatric anesthesia because of the undesirable psychotomimetic side effects of ketamine are less common in the children. We report that a pediatric patient had experienced a profound paralytic ileus after ventilation tube insertion with ketamine anesthesia.

Ileus after ketamine anesthesia in pediatric patient : A case report

Ketamine is a rapidly acting dissociative anesthetic that can be administered as a sole agent, an induction agent, or a supplement to low potency anesthetic agents.It is usually used for the minor surgery or outpatient surgery in pediatric anesthesia because of the undesirable psychotomimetic side effects of ketamine are less common in the children. We report that a pediatric patient had experienced a profound paralytic ileus after ventilation tube insertion with ketamine anesthesia.

Treatment with intraaortic balloon pump in a patient with right ventricular failure during cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis after cardiac surgery : A case report

Acute cholecystitis after cardiac surgery is rare but carries a high mortality. Intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is effective and useful device for mechanical assistance for heart. We reported a case of 34-year-old patient who had experienced pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure during cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis after cardiac surgery. Thus, the patient was mechanically supported with IABP and hemodynamics and cardiac function were improved.

Refractory Hypotension after Anesthesia Induction in a Patient with Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy and Chronic Renal Failure: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Patients with diabetes or chronic renal failure may develop profound hypotension after anesthesia induction. In a patient with chronic renal failure, inappropriate dialysis may aggravate the hypotension. Combined autonomic neuropathy in diabetes mellitus is the main cause of the undesirable changes in blood pressure after anesthesia induction. We report a case of hypotension refractory to fluid replacement and inotropes in a patient with chronic renal failure for 10 years and diabetes mellitus for 5 years. The patient received hemodialysis on the day before surgery and had developed various symptoms suggestive of autonomic neuropathy (i.e., dizziness on standing, esophageal spasm, intermittent diarrhea).

The effect of vitamin C on hemodynamics and arterial blood gas in tourniquet induced ischemia-reperfusion injury during unilateral total knee replacement in elderly patients

BACKGROUND: Free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species which are released abruptly after deflation of an ischemic tourniquet, cause reperfusion injuries. Vitamin C produce cytoprotective effects due to reduction of free radicals. This study was designed to investigate the effect of vitamin C on hemodynamics and arterial blood gas during unilateral total knee replacement. METHODS: In the vitamin C group (VC group: N = 19), patients were administrated with vitamin C:a priming bolus of vitamin C 0.06 g/kg mixed with 100 ml saline infused for 20 min at 10 min before deflation of tourniquet, followed by vitamin C 0.02 g/kg mixed with 30 ml saline at 0.5 ml/min. In the control group (control group: N = 15), patients were infused by 100 ml saline. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and arterial blood gas were measured at 20 min after anesthesia induction, just before deflation, 5 min after deflation and 20 min after deflation of tourniquet. RESULTS: Mean arterial blood pressure in the VC group was maintained higher than control group at 1 min after deflation of the tourniquet. Arterial O2 tension and saturation in the VC group were higher than control group at 5 min and 20 min after deflation of the tourniquet. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the administration of vitamin C during total knee replacement could inhibit decline of mean arterial blood pressure and arterial oxygenation induced by ischemiareperfusion significantly.

Comparison of various tests designed to assess the recovery of cognitive and psychomotor function after ambulatory anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the reliability of the various tools used to assess cognitive and psychomotor recovery after ambulatory anesthesia. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the sensitivity and reliability of simple, standard tests used to measure postoperative cognitive and psychomotor functions. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients admitted for same day surgery were included in this prospective, randomized study. While in the preanesthetic unit, each patient was asked to perform three different standard psychometric tests, the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), digit span test (DST), and perceptual speed test (PST), to evaluate cognitive and psychomotor functions. The results were then used as baseline values that were subsequently compared to results obtained when patients repeated the tests at 15, 30 and 60 min after extubation. In addition, the observer's assessment of alertness and sedation was evaluated. RESULTS: The DSST scores were significantly lower than the baseline scores at 15 and 30 min after extubation, with a performance ratio of 64.9 and 89.2, respectively (P < 0.05). The DST scores had returned to preanesthetic levels at 30 min post-anesthesia and the PST scores were found to be significantly higher than the baseline scores at 30 and 60 min post-anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: DSST is a more sensitive indicator of residual drug effect following anesthesia than the other tests evaluated in this study. In addition, a learning effect was obvious when the PST was administered.

The Effect of Bilateral Femoral Nerve Block Combined with Intravenous Patient-controlled Analgesia after a Bilateral Total Knee Replacement / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain after bilateral total knee replacement (TKR) is expected to be more severe than unilateral TKR. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) is less effective than other methods of pain management especially immediately after an operation even though it is an easily controlled method for managing pain. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of femoral nerve blocks combined with IV PCA after bilateral TKR for postoperative pain control. METHODS: The patients in group I (n = 20) were given only IV PCA with morphine and group II (n = 20) were given bilateral femoral nerve blocks with 12 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and epinephrine 1: 400,000 before extubation followed by an IV PCA. Main outcome measures included numerical rating pain score, cumulative opioid consumption, hourly dose during each time interval, and side effects. RESULTS: The pain score in group II was significantly lower than that in group I immediately after recovery of awareness and at 3, 6, 12 hours postoperatively. Cumulative opioid consumption was significantly decreased in group II during the first 48 hours postoperatively. The hourly dose in group II was also significantly lower than that in group I until 12 hours postoperatively. There was no difference in side effects between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that bilateral femoral nerve blocks improve analgesia and decrease morphine use during IV PCA after bilateral TKR.

The Clinical Characteristics of Pain and the Usefulness of Pain Clinics from the Perspective of Professional Ballet Dancers in Korea / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: There has recently been a rapid increase in the number of pain clinics and significant advancement in the treatment of pain in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify possible problems associated with pain clinics and to use this information to help design future pain clinics. This assessment was conducted from the perspective of professional ballet dancers, who are at high risk for pain like other athletes. METHODS: One-hundred professional ballet dancers responded to questionnaires designed to ascertain their preference for different types of clinics, the extent of the pain they experience, and their overall opinion of pain clinics. RESULTS: All of the respondents complained of pain in one or more sites and reported that they had visited some type of clinic for treatment at least once. Overall, the respondents preferred using the following methods to treat pain: orthopedic surgery (76 dancers), oriental medicine (49 dancers), and therapy at pain clinic (48 dancers). Fifty-three percent of the 48 dancers who had received treatment at pain clinics were satisfied with their treatment. Forty-four percent of the 52 dancers who had not been treated at a pain clinic had no knowledge of the existence of such facilities. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed that, although professional ballet dancers have a high prevalence of pain, many have no knowledge of pain clinics. Therefore, efforts should be made by pain clinics to make information regarding their facilities widely available to professional ballet dancers so they can serve the widest range of clientele.