ABSTRACT
Introduction: Recent advances in stimulation techniques have improved the efficacy and expanded the applicability of spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Among these techniques, there are no reports on the efficacy of differential target multiplexed (DTM) SCS for chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after abdominal surgery. Therefore, we present the successful use of DTM SCS for CPSP after distal pancreatectomy. Methods: A 49-year-old man with hypertension and severe chronic low back pain presented with neuropathic CPSP involving the left abdomen in the area of a laparotomy incision. His pain was refractory to conservative treatment and was rated 10 on a numerical rating scale (NRS). He underwent permanent implantation of a pulse generator after a 14-day trial stimulation. Results: Chronic postsurgical pain was well controlled (NRS 1-2) at a 3-month follow-up with DTM SCS. Conclusion: Differential target multiplexed SCS can be a new treatment option for neuropathic CPSP that is resistant to conservative treatment. It is important to further examine the characteristics of CPSP and identify appropriate candidates for the successful use of DTM SCS.
ABSTRACT
A 27-year-old parturient (height, 130 cm; weight, 43 kg) with achondroplasia, which is characterized by rhizomeric short stature, large head and frontal bossing, was scheduled for elective caesarean section (C/S) because of her contracted pelvis. Her first delivery had been performed by C/S under general anesthesia at a regional hospital 6 years before. Preoperative airway assessment showed normal mouth opening and mobile cervical spine. Since she had anxiety about needle puncture and refused neuraxial blockade and since we considered the trachea could be intubated, we decided to perform C/S under general anesthesia at 37 weeks of gestation. The patient and baby had an uneventful perioperative course. Underdevelopment of bone formation results in characteristic craniofacial and vertebral abnormalities in patients with achondroplasia. Anesthetic management of achondroplastic parturients should be specified to individual basis based on careful preoperative assessment of craniofacial and vertebral deformities.
