Continuous Epidural Block for Perioperative Pain Control and Treatment of Herpes Zoster - Two Cases Report / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Continuous epidural block was used for pain control during and after operation and for herpes zoster in two cases. A 63 year old male patient with herpes zoster on the right T 12 level for 2 weeks was treated by continuous epidural block. After 10 days, elective right inguinal hernioplasty was performed under epidural blocks by the previously inserted catheter. Postoperative pain and herpes zoster have been controlled in the same manner. Two weeks later, he was discharged without post-herpetic sequelae. The second case, a 82 year old man, was admitted with dysuria and also herpes zoster on the right T 10 level for 10 days. Using only continuous epidural block, suprapubic prostatectomy was done and post-operative pain was controlled. Two days later, the catheter was removed by the urological department. However, two weeks after operation, post-herpetic neuralgia developed and continuous epidural block was restarted for 2 weeks. Then epidural methylprednisolone injection, 2 times, and transcutaneous electrical stimulations were required for 3 more months for complete recovery. This indicated that continuous epidural block was beneficial not only for the treatment of herpes zoster but also for the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia.