Comparison of General and Spinal Anesthesia and Their Effect on Hemostasis using the Thromboelastography in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Preliminary report / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGOUND: General anesthesia was known to induce hypercoagulable status during major orthopedic surgery. This study was designed to analyze effects on hemostatic reponse in patients receiving general or spinal anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty, using the thromboelastography (TEG). METHODS: Among women that were scheduled to total knee arthroplasty without both no medical or surgical history and no chronic systemic disorder, ten patients were selected at each group (general or spinal anesthesia). TEG was measured at 4 times around the each surgery (before skin incision after induction, before bone manipulation, after bone manipulation, 1 hour after operation). RESULTS: There was no difference statistically between two groups in first and second measures of TEG. But, significantly different r time, k time, alpha angle, and maximum amplitude was noted between two groups after bone manipulation and 1 hour after operation (P < 0.05). Conculusions: After the release of tourniquet following bone procedures the patients receiving general anesthesia had relatively high hemostasis compared with the spinal anesthesia group. This phenomenon was also noted in 1 hour after operation.

Radiofrequency Lesion Generation of the Articular Branches of the Obturator and Femoral Nerve for Hip Joint Pain: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation has been applied in patients with various forms of chronic pain, such as facet joint pain, cancer pain and trigeminal neuralgia. A major portion of the hip joint is innervated by the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the articular branches of the obturator and femoral nerves can be a good alternative treatment for patients with hip joint pain, especially in those where surgery is not applicable. A patient suffering hip joint pain due to metastatic cancer underwent multiple radiofrequency lesioning of the femoral and obturator nerves at 80degrees C for 120 seconds, using a Racz-Finch Kit. The patient experienced about a 50% reduction in the pain, without any numbness or other side effects.

Video Imaging to Assess the Neuromuscular Effect at the Larynx / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Rocuronium has been reported to develop a rapid onset of action and may be suitable as a component of a rapid-sequence intubation. The purpose of this study was to compare the onset of rocuronium at the adductor pollicis and the larynx and to determine the time suitable for intubation. METHODS: Fifteen ASA physical status 1 and 2 adult patients were studied. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and alfentanil. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was stimulated superficially and movement of the vocal cords were recorded on video tape by using a fiberoptic bronchoscope passed via a laryngeal mask airway. Neuromuscular function was recorded at the adductor pollicis by using mechanosensor. After the administration of rocuronium 0.9 mg.kg(-1), the times to loss of fourth twitch response in train -of - four stimulation at the larynx and hand were observed. RESULTS: The times to loss of fourth twitch response in train-of-four stimulation at the larynx and hand are 47.3 +/- 12.8 sec and 70 +/- 13.6 sec respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Video imaging may be a useful research technique for estimating the neuromuscular blockade at the larynx and showing the onset time of rocuronium is significantly faster at the larynx than hand.

Stereotactic S5 Dorsal Root Ganglionotomy Using Radiofrequency Lesion Generation: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Dorsal root ganglionotomy of the S5 nerve is useful for pain around the coccyx. The S5 dorsal root ganglion lies behind the sacrum at a level 1 cm caudal to the S2 foraminal opening and approximately 2 mm lateral to the midline of the sacrum. A small burr-hole was made through the plates of the posterior sacrum to approach the dorsal root ganglion of S5 nerve. Sensory stimulation was performed at 0.3 V, 50 Hz. No motor fasciculations was noted at 0.6 V, 2 Hz. A thermal lesion was created at 75oC for 60 sec. The patient whom we report now was a 67-year-old male who suffered from the pain around the coccyx due to rectal cancer metastasis. He failed to respond to other oral and invasive conventional therapy. We experienced a successful result in the treatment of his intractable pain after the S5 dorsal root ganglionotomy.

Atlantoaxial Joint Syndrome Misconceived as an Idiopathic Neuralgia: A case report / 대한통증학회지

Although the atlantoaxial joint is the most common site of rheumatoid arthritis, our patient had no symptoms or signs suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. The atlantoaxial joint is frequently involved in degenerative osteoarthritis, especially in elderly patients. An 81-year old man presented with severe intermittent electric shock like, lancinating pain from the occipital to the temporal and parietofrontal areas. He also had neck pain and a limited range of motion. After many examinations and laboratory tests, at the department of neurology and neurosurgery, he was diagnosed with idiopathic neuralgia. The diagnosis of atlantoaxial joint syndrome was confirmed, and treated successfully with atlantoaxial joint block.

Changes of Serum Lipid Concentration during General Anesthesia with Propofol Using Target Controlled Infusion / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Propofol is a widely used hypnotic, however hyperlipidemia is one of the disadvantages caused by its formulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) and triglycerides during general anesthesia with propofol using a target controlled infusion. METHODS: With Institutional Review Board approval and informed consent, thirty premedicated (atropine 0.5 mg, I.M) adult patients (ASA class I or II, 18 - 55 yrs) scheduled for elective surgery were studied. A TCI of propofol was started at a target concentration of 6.0ng/ml. After intubation with the aid of vecuronium (0.15 mg/kg), anesthesia was maintained with propofol in combination with 67% N2O and 33% O2. Blood was sampled from the median cubital vein for total cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol, and triglycerides at 0, 1, and 2 hours during anesthesia, the end of surgery, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after anesthesia. RESULTS: At 1 and 2 hours, and the end of surgery, triglyceride concentrations showed a significant increase compared to the control (P < 0.05), however it declined steeply to normal range during the next 24 hours. The total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were within a normal range throughout the study period. There was a correlation between triglyceride concentrations (peak triglyceride concentration-control triglyceride concentration) and amount of infused propofol (Spearman's r = 0.42, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Because the infusion of propofol during anesthesia results in a significant increase in triglyceride concentrations, we should consider checking the triglyceride concentrations intermittently in critically ill patients who receive propofol. However, propofol may be safe to healthy patient for general anesthesia.

Effect of Angulation between Aorta and Renal Artery on Signal Void of Proximal Renal Artery on MR Angiography:Phantom Study

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of anglulation between aorta the and renal artery on signal loss in theproximal renal artery, as seen on magnetic resonance angiography by phantom study using a pulsatile flow model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three phantoms of aorta and renal artery with angulation of 90 degree, 60 degree, and 30 degree wereobtained. Pulsatile recirculating flow (44%W/W glycerin, 60bpm) was used for MR angiography. First, axial 3D-TOFimages were obtained and reconstructed. MIP images were analyzed for the presence, area, and location of signalloss. 2D-PC images were obtained perpendicularly to the renal artery at a distance of 0, 4, 8 and 12mm from theostium. To calculate mean signal intensity of the renal artery, a ROI was drawn on 2D-PC images. To correlatesignal loss in 3D-TOF images with signal decrease in 2D-PC, we analyzed changes in signal intensity during onepulse cycle according to change of angulation and distance from the ostium of the renal artery by the calculatedvalues of relative signal decrease and ratio of signal decrease. RESULTS: A signal loss was observed up to 4mmfrom the ostium of the renal artery only in the case of the 90 degree phantom. Because the signal intensity measured inthe 2D-PC image of the 90 degree phantom was higher than that of the 60 degree phantom the signal loss observed in the3D-TOF images of the 90 degree phantom could not be explained by the magnitude of measured signal intensity alone.Relative signal decrease only at a distance of 0 and 4mm in the 90 degree phantom was evenly increased through a pulsecycle and the ratio of signal decrease at the same location was more than 50%. In contrast to the results of the90 degree phantom, those of 60 degree and 30 degree showed decreased of signal intensity mainly during the diastolic phase.CONCLUSION: Signal loss should become apparent at a certain angle between 60 degree and 90 degree. Decreased signalintensity causing signal loss in 3D-TOF was maintained throughout the systolic and diastolic phase of a pulsatilecycle and correlated with the ratio of signal decrease.