The Effects of Thoracic Epidural Analgesia during Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is a useful and safe treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pain management, during and after PRFA, is a critical component of patient care. Objectives: This study reviewed the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia, during and after PRFA, for patients with HCC. Study Design: A retrospective, observational chart review. Setting: Tertiary medical center/teaching hospital. Methods: Patients who had undergone PRFA for HCC in the past 5 years were divided into two groups, based on the type of anesthesia administered: thoracic epidural anesthesia group (Group E) and local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care group (Group C). We retrospectively reviewed changes in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score during and after PRFA, opioid consumption, length of the procedure, length of hospital stay, changes in blood pressure during PRFA, and the incidence of adverse events. Results: The NRS score in Group E was significantly lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05). The opioid consumption in Group E was lower than that in Group C after PRFA (P < 0.05). The procedure time was shorter in Group E (P < 0.05). Neither of the groups showed significant difference with respect to the length of hospital stay and the incidence of respiratory depression, fever, and blood pressure elevation. The incidence of nausea, vomiting, and voiding difficulty was higher in Group E. Limitations: This study is limited by its retrospective design. Conclusions: Thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with shorter procedure times, lower postprocedural pain, and lower opioid consumption during and after PRFA for HCC.

Tapentadol: Can It Kill Two Birds with One Stone without Breaking Windows?

Tapentadol is a novel oral analgesic with a dual mode of action as an agonist of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), and as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) all in a single molecule. Immediate release (IR) tapentadol shows its analgesic effect quickly, at around 30 minutes. Its MOR agonistic action produces acute nociceptive pain relief; its role as an NRI brings about chronic neuropathic pain relief. Absorption is rapid, with a mean maximal serum concentration at 1.25-1.5 h after oral intake. It is present primarily in the form of conjugated metabolites after glucuronidation, and excretes rapidly and completely via the kidneys. The most common adverse reactions are nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and somnolence. Constipation is more common in use of the ER formulation. Precautions against concomitant use of central nervous system depressants, including sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids, and alcohol, or use of tapentadol within 14 days of the cessation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, are advised. The safety and efficacy have not been established for use during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or for nursing mothers, pediatric patients less than 18 years of age, and cases of severe renal impairment and severe hepatic impairment. The major concerns for tapentadol are abuse, addiction, seeking behavior, withdrawal, and physical dependence. The presumed problem for use of tapentadol is to control the ratio of MOR agonist and NRI. In conclusion, tapentadol produces both nociceptive and neuropathic pain relief, but with worries about abuse and dependence.

Nefopam Reduces Dysesthesia after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain, including paresthesia/dysesthesia in the lower extremities, always develops and remains for at least one month, to variable degrees, after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). The recently discovered dual analgesic mechanisms of action, similar to those of antidepressants and anticonvulsants, enable nefopam (NFP) to treat neuropathic pain. This study was performed to determine whether NFP might reduce the neuropathic pain component of postoperative pain. METHODS: Eighty patients, who underwent PELD due to herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) at L4-L5, were randomly divided into two equal groups, one receiving NFP (with a mixture of morphine and ketorolac) and the other normal saline (NS) with the same mixture. The number of bolus infusions and the infused volume for 3 days were compared in both groups. The adverse reactions (ADRs) in both groups were recorded and compared. The neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI) score was compared in both groups on postoperative days 1, 3, 7, 30, 60, and 90. RESULTS: The mean attempted number of bolus infusions, and effective infused bolus volume for 3 days was lower in the NFP group for 3 days. The most commonly reported ADRs were nausea, dizziness, and somnolence, in order of frequency in the NFP group. The median NPSI score, and all 5 median sub-scores in the NFP group, were significantly lower than that of the NS group until postoperative day 30. CONCLUSIONS: NFP significantly reduced the neuropathic pain component, including paresthesia/dysesthesia until 1 month after PELD. The common ADRs were nausea, dizziness, somnolence, and ataxia.

Emergency cesarean delivery in a parturient who had an intractable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia -A case report-.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common arrhythmia in the parturient and can occur with or without an underlying organic heart disease. A woman of 35 weeks' gestation, who had a paroxysmal SVT that was resistant to antiarrhythmic drugs and electric cardioversion, required emergency Cesarean delivery. The Cesarean delivery was performed under spinal anesthesia and a healthy baby was delivered uneventfully. SVT spontaneously converted to normal sinus rhythm right after delivery of the baby.

Optimal effect-site concentration of remifentanil for preventing development of hypertension during tracheal intubation with inhaled desflurane induction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect-site concentration of remifentanil needed to prevent haemodynamic instability during tracheal intubation with inhaled desflurane induction. METHODS: One hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II female patients were randomized to receive an effect-site concentration of remifentanil of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 ng/ml. Induction of anaesthesia was started with intravenous injection of propofol 2 mg/kg. Ninety seconds after the completion of propofol injection, rocuronium (0.8 mg/kg) and remifentanil were administered simultaneously with 3% desflurane inhalation. Tracheal intubation was attempted 150 sec after the commencement of remifentanil administration. RESULTS: A probit model of remifentanil concentration was predictive of successful intubation without development of hypertension (P for goodness-of-fit = 0.419). The effect-site concentration of remifentanil needed to achieve successful intubation without development of hypertension in 95% of the patients was 3.3 ng/ml (95% confidence interval, 2.6-4.8 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The effect-site concentration of remifentanil of 3.3 ng/ml is effective in blunting the haemodynamic response in 95% of the patients when 2.0 mg/kg of propofol induction was followed by 3% desflurane inhalation.