Preemptive visceral analgesic effect of thoracic paravertebral block on postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective, randomized, assessor-blind study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#The preemptive visceral analgesic effect of regional nerve block has not been adequately investigated to date. We evaluated the preemptive visceral analgesic effect of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in whom pre-incisional rectus sheath block (RSB) was used to minimize somatic surgical pain. @*Methods@#In this prospective, randomized, assessor-blind study, 70 patients scheduled for elective LC were randomly assigned to the pre-TPVB (n = 35) or the post-TPVB (n = 35) group. Both groups received pre-incisional RSB, and patients in the pre-TPVB group received TPVB before skin incision while those in the post-TPVB group received TPVB after skin closure. The primary outcome was the total rescue analgesic consumption (morphine equianalgesic dose) during the 24 h post-surgery. The secondary outcomes were the cumulative analgesic consumption and pain intensity for 24 h after surgery, and adverse events. @*Results@#Pre-TPVB significantly reduced total rescue analgesic consumption (estimated mean [95% CI]) during the 24 h after surgery than post-TPVB (16.9 [14.5, 19.3] vs. 25.3 [22.8, 27.7] mg, estimated difference: -8.3 [-11.8, -4.9], P < 0.001). The cumulative rescue analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the pre-TPVB group from 2–24 h after surgery (P < 0.001). The postoperative pain intensity was significantly lower in the pre-TPVB group as well at 0.5–6 h after surgery. There were no adverse events in both groups. @*Conclusions@#Pre-incisional TPVB conferred a significant preemptive visceral analgesic effect in patients undergoing LC, and significantly reduced the amount of postoperative opioid consumption.

Postreperfusion syndrome during liver transplantation / 대한마취과학회지

As surgical and graft preservation techniques have improved and immunosuppressive drugs have advanced, liver transplantation (LT) is now considered the gold standard for treating patients with end-stage liver disease worldwide. However, despite the improved survival following LT, severe hemodynamic disturbances during LT remain a serious issue for the anesthesiologist. The greatest hemodynamic disturbance is postreperfusion syndrome (PRS), which occurs at reperfusion of the donated liver after unclamping of the portal vein. PRS is characterized by marked decreases in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance, and moderate increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and central venous pressure. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of PRS are complex. Moreover, risk factors associated with PRS are not fully understood. Rapid and appropriate treatment with vasopressors, volume replacement, or venesection must be provided depending on the cause of the hemodynamic disturbance when hemodynamic instability becomes profound after reperfusion. The negative effects of PRS on postoperative early morbidity and mortality are clear, but the effect of PRS on postoperative long-term mortality remains a matter of debate.

Vagolytic atropine attenuates cerebral vasodilation response during acute orthostatic hypotension / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug which is commonly used in clinical practice. The effect of parasympathetic block with atropine on dynamic cerebrovascular regulation remains unclear. This study was aimed to identify effects of vagolytic atropine on cerebrovascular response during acute orthostatic hypotension in humans. METHODS: Continuous middle cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV, transcranial Doppler) and arterial blood pressure (ABP, Finometer) were measured during a sit-to-stand procedure in 10 healthy subjects with placebo and vagolytic (10 microg/kg) doses of atropine. Cerebral vascular tone was assessed by cerebrovascular resistance (CVR = ABP / CBFV). Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was also assessed by transfer function analysis of ABP and CBFV. RESULTS: During the standing session, ABP fell to a similar extent in both groups by an average of 23 to 25 mmHg (26% to 29%). CBFV also fell in all subjects but significantly more in vagolytic atropine (-15.0 +/- 7.0 cm/s) compared with placebo (-12.0 +/- 5.8 cm/s, P < 0.05). CVR was decreased significantly in the placebo group during posture change (1.56 +/- 0.44 vs. 1.38 +/- 0.38, P < 0.05), in contrast, lesser decreased in the atropine group (1.60 +/- 0.50 vs. 1.53 +/- 0.42, P = 0.193). Transfer function coherence in the very-low-frequency range was significantly increased in the atropine group during the standing session (0.55 +/- 0.14), compared with the sitting session (0.45 +/- 0.14, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These data present that vagolytic atropine attenuates cerebral vasodilation response to acute orthostatic hypotension, suggesting the use of atropine may need care in patients with cerebrovascular disease with vagal impairment.

Blind nasal intubation as an alternative to difficult intubation approaches

Airway difficulties are a major concern for anesthesiologists. Even though fiberoptic intubation is the generally accepted method for management of difficult airways, it is not without disadvantages-requires patient cooperation, and cannot be performed on soiled airway or upper airways with pre-existing narrowing pathology. Additionally, fiberoptic bronchoscopy is not available at every medical institution. In this case, we encountered difficult airway management in a 71-year-old man with a high Mallampati grade and a thick neck who had undergone urologic surgery. Several attempts, including a bronchoscope-guided intubation, were unsuccessful. Finally, blind nasal intubation was successful while the patient's neck was flexed and the tracheal cartilage was gently pressed down. We suggest that blind nasal intubation is a helpful alternative in difficult airway management and it can be a lifesaving technique in emergencies. Additionally, its simplicity makes it a less expensive option when advanced airway technology (fiberoptic bronchoscopy) is unavailable.

Blind nasal intubation as an alternative to difficult intubation approaches

Airway difficulties are a major concern for anesthesiologists. Even though fiberoptic intubation is the generally accepted method for management of difficult airways, it is not without disadvantages-requires patient cooperation, and cannot be performed on soiled airway or upper airways with pre-existing narrowing pathology. Additionally, fiberoptic bronchoscopy is not available at every medical institution. In this case, we encountered difficult airway management in a 71-year-old man with a high Mallampati grade and a thick neck who had undergone urologic surgery. Several attempts, including a bronchoscope-guided intubation, were unsuccessful. Finally, blind nasal intubation was successful while the patient's neck was flexed and the tracheal cartilage was gently pressed down. We suggest that blind nasal intubation is a helpful alternative in difficult airway management and it can be a lifesaving technique in emergencies. Additionally, its simplicity makes it a less expensive option when advanced airway technology (fiberoptic bronchoscopy) is unavailable.

Anesthetic experience of a combined ABO- and Rh-incompatible living donor liver transplantation between an O Rh- recipient and a B Rh+ donor / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Melatonin does not attenuate dynamic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular reflex responses to acute hypotension in healthy men / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Melatonin has been shown to attenuate the reflex sympathetic increases that arise in response to orthostatic challenges. We tested the hypothesis that the attenuated sympathetic increase induced by melatonin premedication may weaken the arterial blood pressure (ABP) preserving the capability during acute hypotension, thereby altering dynamic cerebral autoregulation and causing a further decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF). METHODS: Acute hypotension was induced in 12 healthy subjects by releasing bilateral thigh cuffs before and after an oral dose of melatonin (0.2 mg/kg). Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (ABP), Modelflow estimate of cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) by transcranial Doppler were measured. RESULTS: Steady state HR, the mean arterial pressure and CBFV were not altered 60 minutes after melatonin ingestion. Reduced systolic arterial pressure (DeltaSAP), changes in HR (DeltaHR), CO (DeltaCO), and TPR (DeltaTPR), DeltaHR/DeltaSAP and percentage restoration of SAP were not affected after a temporal decrease in ABP induced by thigh cuff release. In the cerebral circulation, melatonin did not affect changes in CBFV, cerebrovascular resistance index, the rate of regulation and percentage restoration of CBFV following a sudden decrease in ABP. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, melatonin did not affect the rapid vasodilatory and recovery responses of cardiovascular and dynamic cerebral autoregulation. These results suggest that melatonin premedication may not impair ABP and CBF preserving capability induced by sudden postural changes or hemorrhage.

The effects of gabapentin pretreatment on brain injury induced by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in the rat / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have shown that gabapentin can reduce neuronal injury in the setting of cerebral ischemia, but the mechanisms have not yet been clearly determined. This study was conducted to determine whether gabapentin pretreatment altered expression levels of heat shock protein 70 and reduced acute phase neuronal injury in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (260-300 g) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (saline-treated, or 0.1, 0.5, or 5 mg/kg gabapentin group). In all animals, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour. The animals of the gabapentin groups were pretreated with a single intravenous administration of gabapentin 20 minutes before ischemic insults. The infarct volume, brain edema and motor behavior deficits were analyzed 24 hours after ischemic insult. Caspase-3-reactive cells and cells showing Hsp70 activity were counted in the caudoputamen and fronto-parietal cortex. RESULTS: The infarction ratio was significantly decreased in the 5 mg/kg gabapentin group (P < 0.05) and brain edema ratios were significantly reduced in the 0.1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg gabapentin groups 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion injury (P < 0.05). There were more Hsp70-reactive cells in the 5 mg/kg gabapentin group than in the saline group in both the caudoputamen and fronto-parietal cortex (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that gabapentin may have a neuroprotective effect and can reduce early neuronal injury caused by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion; this may be mediated by expression of Hsp70. However, gabapentin pretreatment did not prevent caspase-dependent apoptosis.

The effects of gabapentin pretreatment on brain injury induced by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in the rat / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies have shown that gabapentin can reduce neuronal injury in the setting of cerebral ischemia, but the mechanisms have not yet been clearly determined. This study was conducted to determine whether gabapentin pretreatment altered expression levels of heat shock protein 70 and reduced acute phase neuronal injury in rats subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (260-300 g) were randomly assigned to one of four groups (saline-treated, or 0.1, 0.5, or 5 mg/kg gabapentin group). In all animals, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 hour. The animals of the gabapentin groups were pretreated with a single intravenous administration of gabapentin 20 minutes before ischemic insults. The infarct volume, brain edema and motor behavior deficits were analyzed 24 hours after ischemic insult. Caspase-3-reactive cells and cells showing Hsp70 activity were counted in the caudoputamen and fronto-parietal cortex. RESULTS: The infarction ratio was significantly decreased in the 5 mg/kg gabapentin group (P < 0.05) and brain edema ratios were significantly reduced in the 0.1 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg gabapentin groups 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion injury (P < 0.05). There were more Hsp70-reactive cells in the 5 mg/kg gabapentin group than in the saline group in both the caudoputamen and fronto-parietal cortex (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that gabapentin may have a neuroprotective effect and can reduce early neuronal injury caused by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion; this may be mediated by expression of Hsp70. However, gabapentin pretreatment did not prevent caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Clinical survey of sedation and analgesia procedures in intensive care units / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The proper use of sedation and analgesia in the intensive care unit (ICU) minimizes its physical and psychological impact. Otherwise, patients can suffer from recall, nightmares, and depression after discharge. We investigated the sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants used in the ICU. METHODS: We visited 79 ICUs in 52 training hospitals and noted the use of sedatives, analgesics, and muscle relaxants from July, 2007, to December, 2007, using a 5-item questionnaire with 57 sub-questions. The survey evaluated the ICU system administration of analgesics and muscle relaxants. RESULTS: Most ICU management is done by the anesthesiology department (55%). Most have resident doctors (63.3%) and an ICU committee (60.8%) in charge of the ICU, as well as a special ICU chart (88.6%) and scoring system (65.8%). Most hospitals have a consulting system (94.9%). The standard ICU analgesics are fentanyl (65.8%), NSAIDs (53.2%), and morphine (48.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate sedation is difficult to achieve in the ICU, but is important for patient comfort and to reduce ICU stay duration. Awareness of patient status and appropriate drug/protocol use are therefore important.

Anesthetic management of a patient with prune-belly syndrome : A case report

Prune-belly syndrome is characterized by absent abdominal wall musculature with wrinkled overlying skin, urinary tract dilatation and cryptorchidism. Prune-belly syndrome is also associated with diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular, skeletal, gastrointestinal and central nervous system. Because the congenital disease is uncommon, it is difficult to collect the information of anesthetic management of prune-belly syndrome. We report a case of 4 year-old-boy with prune-belly syndrome who underwent abdominoplasty and Mitrofanoff operation under general anesthesia.

The effect of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel blocker on ischemic preconditioning in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model of neonatal rat / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: A brief episode of cerebral ischemia confers transient ischemic tolerance to a subsequent ischemic challenge that is otherwise lethal to them. This study was purposed to evaluate the effect of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker on ischemic preconditioning in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury model of neonatal rat. METHODS: Seven-day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were used. The rats were divided into five groups; control group (n = 91), pretreatment hypoxic preconditioning group (n = 43), pretreatment ischemic preconditioning group (n = 52), hypoxic preconditioning group (n = 39), and ischemic preconditioning group (n = 51). Rats in the pretreatment hypoxic preconditioning group and pretreatment ischemic preconditioning group were treated by an intraperitoneal injection with 5-hydroxydecanoate (60 mg/kg). Thirty minutes after injection, right common carotid artery was temporarily occluded for ten minutes in pretreatment ischemic preconditioning group. Rats in the pretreatment hypoxic preconditioning group and hypoxic preconditioning group underwent hypoxia (8% oxygen/92% nitrogen) for four hours. Twenty-four hours after the preconditioning, rats from all groups were exposed to right common carotid artery ligation followed by 2.5 hour hypoxia. On the 1st day after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) reaction was evaluate as apoptotic markers and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was done to measure necrotic tissue. All rats were sacrificed 2 weeks after hypoxic-ischemia brain injury and the brains were examined for morphologic study. RESULTS: There were no differenced in survival rate, infarct area, number of TUNEL positive cells and morphologic score either between hypoxic preconditioning group and pretreatment hypoxic preconditioning group or between ischemic preconditioning group and pretreatment ischemic preconditioning group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggests that mitochondrial K(ATP) channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate, does not change hypoxic-ischemic preconditioning in the neonatal rat.

Unexpected cardiac tamponade during robot-assisted permanent pacemaker insertion: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Cardiac tamponade can result in severe hemodymanic instability, including cardiac arrest. We experienced one case of unexpected cardiac tamponade during permanent pacemaker insertion using da Vinci(TM) Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Mountain View, USA) in 76-year-old male patient with complete atrioventricular block. Soon after the port insertion for robotic arm, sudden-onset electromechanical dissociation was developed. Prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed. Rapid left thoracotomy revealed the cardiac tamponade caused by the injury of right ventricle. Hemodynamic parameter was immediately improved after pericardiocentesis and primary repair of right ventricle. Permanent pacemaker was inserted uneventfully through the left thoracotomy. The patient was discharged 10 days after operation without any other complication.

Venovenous bypass using central venous catheter during liver transplantation / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

The Effects of Temperature Monitoring Methods and Thermal Management Methods during Spinal Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The precise measurement of body temperature during anesthesia is important to prevent hypothermia.The aim of this study was to compare the urinary bladder temperature to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures, and to compare three heating methods during spine surgery. METHODS: Forty-two patients with ASA physical status I-II, who were scheduled to undergo spine surgery in the prone position, were included in this study.The patients were randomly divided into 4 groups:Group I was treated without any heating methods; group 2, with fluid-warmers; group 3, with forced air-warmers; and group 4, with a combination of both heating methods.After the induction of anesthesia, the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal, urinary bladder and skin temperature was monitored every 15 minute for 3 hours.The urinary bladder temperature was compared to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures. RESULTS: The urinary bladder temperature was found to be higher than the esophageal and the nasopharyngeal temperatures (P < 0.01).The urinary bladder temperature of group 3 was higher than that of group 1 at 180 minutes after induction of anesthesia (P < 0.05).The urinary bladder temperature of group 4 was higher than that of group 1 at 150 minutes (P < 0.05), as well as at 165 and 180 minutes (P < 0.05).The skin temperatures of groups 3 and 4 were higher than group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary bladder temperature was higher than the esophageal temperature and correlated with the esophageal, nasopharyngeal and rectal temperatures.During spine surgery in the prone position, a forced air-warmer was found to be the most effective but a combination of all the methods tested was found to be even more effective.

Continuous Peritransplant Assessment of Consciousness using Bispectral Index Monitoring for Patients with Fulminant Hepatic Failure

PURPOSE: Deterioration of consciousness is the most critical problem in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Electroencephalography (EEG) is a standard procedure to determine the brain activity in unconscious patients. The bispectral (BIS) index derived from EEG was primarily developed to monitor the depth of unconsciousness. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to assess the clinical utility of peritransplant BIS monitoring in 11 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) patients who were undergoing emergency living donor liver transplantation (LT) with using a right liver graft. All the patients recovered their consciousness after LT. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the BIS index values and the derived GCS score (r2=0.634, p <0.001). Timing of eye opening to voice command matched the BIS index value of 64+/-9.5, which was after 14+/-9.4 hours passing BIS index of 50. All the patients with endotracheal intubation during the early posttransplant period showed progressive increase of their BIS index, which appeared slightly earlier and more evident than the rise of derived GCS scores. CONCLUSION: BIS monitoring is a noninvasive, simple and easy-to-interpret method and it also appears to be a useful to assess and predict the recovery of a patient's consciousness level after LT. Therefore, we concluded that BIS monitoring can be an indispensable component of the peritransplant intensive care for patients with FHF and who require emergency LT.

Bilateral Pneumothorax Induced by Tracheal Injury during Total Thyroidectomy with Modified Radical Neck Dissection: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We experienced one case of bilateral pneumothorax developed after total thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection in a 44-year-old male patient with thyroid carcinoma. After the conclusion of the operation, the patient was extubated after confirming recovery of consciousness and spontaneous respiration. Soon after the extubation, sudden-onset dyspnea with desaturation was developed. Rapid re-intubation was performed. Bilateral pneumothorax with severe subcutaneous emphysema was recognized on chest radiograph and successfully treated by chest tube insertion. Secondary operation was performed and tracheal injury was proved to be the source of the pneumothorax. The patient was discharged uneventfully 14 days later.

Unexpected Massive Bleeding during Liver Transplantation in Patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. Severe liver cirrhosis and limited cardiac reserve in patients with BCS makes them less tolerant to liver transplantation. We experienced two cases of massive bleeding during living donor liver transplantation in patients with BCS. Blood products and fluids were rapidly infused with a rapid infusion system, final infusion volume in these two patients were 177 L and 193 L, and the use of Cell Savers allowed for the patient's blood products to be saved. The patients were managed successfully and recovered uneventfully with advanced monitoring, including monitoring of their jugular venous oxygen saturation and continuous cardiac output. Therefore, rapid infusion systems and Cell Savers, along with advanced monitoring, are necessary in the event of massive bleeding during liver transplantation.

The Changes of Skin Temperature on Hands and Feet During and after T3 Sympathicotomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Unilateral thoracic sympathectomy in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis causes a skin temperature drop in the contralateral hand. A cross-inhibitory effect by the post-ganglionic neurons innervating hands is postulated as a mechanism of contralateral vasoconstriction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate whether this cross-inhibitory effect also occurs in the feet. Twenty patients scheduled for thoracoscopic sympathicotomy due to palmar hyperhidosis were studied. Right T3 sympathicotomy was performed first, followed by left T3 sympathicotomy. The thenar skin temperatures of both hands and feet were continuously monitored using a thermometer and recorded before induction of anesthesia, during the operation, 4 hr after and 1 week later. Following right T3 sympathicotomy, the skin temperature of the ipsilateral hand gradually increased, however the skin temperature of the contralateral hand gradually decreased. Immediately after bilateral sympathicotomy, the skin temperature differences between hands and feet increased, but these differences decreased 1 week later. Our results show that cross-inhibitory control may exist in feet as well as in the contralateral hand. Thus, the release of cross-inhibitory control following T3 sympathicotomy results in vasoconstriction and decrease of skin temperature on the contralateral hand and feet. One week later, however, the temperature balance on hands and feet recovers.

The Protective Effect of Ischemic and Hypoxic Preconditioning on Hypoxic-ischemic Brain Injury in the Neonatal Rat: 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: A brief episode of cerebral ischemia confers transient ischemic tolerance to a subsequent ischemic challenge. We examined the effect of ischemic and hypoxic preconditioning in the neonatal rat. METHODS: Seven-day old Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided into three groups:control (n = 53), ischemic preconditioning (n = 51), and hypoxic preconditioning (n = 48). For ischemic preconditioning, the right common carotid artery was occluded for 10 min. Rats in the hypoxic preconditioning group were kept under hypoxic (8% oxygen/92% nitrogen) conditions for 4h. Twenty-four hours after the preconditioning, rats from all groups were exposed to the right common carotid artery ligature, followed by 2.5 h of hypoxia. Lipid/N-acetyl aspartate (Lip/NAA) and lipid/creatine (Lip/Cr) ratios from 1H MR spectroscopy and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) were evaluated as measures of apoptosis 1 and 7 days after hypoxic-ischemic injury. RESULTS: In the ischemic and hypoxic preconditioning groups, the Lip/NAA and Lip/Cr ratios and the numbers of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two preconditioning groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ischemic and hypoxic preconditioning in the neonatal rat attenuate the apoptosis that is caused by hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.