• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.95-100
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• 1999

Background: About 75% of terminal cancer patients have severe pain. For the treatment of these patients, physicians usually use potent opioid analgesics. But many of the cancer patients were not controlled by IV or IM injection of opioids. In spite of the untreatable nature of the patient's illness, they should be hospitalized only for pain control. In that case, epidural opioid injection is one of the most effective methods in pain management. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 126 terminal cancer patients who were treated with epidural morphine for pain management from 1993-97. In the routine procedure, an epidural catheter was inserted into the epidural space and tunnelled subcutaneously, exiting out from the anterior chest or abdomen. Morphine was used as the main analgesic and Multiday Infusor$^{(R)}$ (Baxter, 0.5 ml/h) as a continuous infusion system. Results: 1. Mean treatment time was 55 days (range; 3~373). 2. Mean daily epidural start mg dose of morphine was 8 mg (range; 2~20). 3. Mean daily dose at termination was 19 mg (range; 4~60) 4. 94 patients were controlled with continuous infusion but 32 patients needed additional bolus doses of morphine. 5. heter-associated subcutaneous infection occurred in 2 patients (1.6%). Conclusion: Terminal cancer pain management administered by a tunnelled epidural catheter is a simple, inexpensive method with a very small rate of infection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 1999

Background: Despite the popularity of epidural bupivacaine-morphine infusions for postoperative pain management, the optimum concentrations and dosages of bupivacaine have not been determined. At present, due to the disadvantages conferred by intense motor block and the increased risk of toxicity, many trials focus on reducing bupivacaine concentration and thus the evaluation of concentrations less than 0.1% may be warranted. Methods: Forty patients having epiduro-general anesthesia for hysterectomy were randomly assigned to one of two study groups. As a mean of postoperative pain control, all received 2 mg of epidural morphine bolusly 1 hr before the end of surgery and continuous epidural infusion was started using a two-day Infusor containing 4 mg of morphine in 100 ml of 0.125% bupivacaine (Group 0.125B, n=20) or 100 ml of 0.0625% bupivacaine (Group 0.0625B, n=20). Study endpoints included visual analog scales (VAS) for pain during rest and movement, sensory change and motor blockade. They were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 hrs postoperatively. Results: For VAS during rest, no significance could be found between two groups over the course of study. But for VAS during movement, the 0.125B group showed more satisfactory results especially during early postoperative periods. For the incidence of complications, the 0.125B group revealed greater frequency of sensory change (25.0%) and motor blockade (10.0%) compared with the 0.0625B group. Conclusion: This study suggests that 0.0625% bupivacaine with morphine via epidural route was sufficient for pain control during rest but it was not satisfactory during movement especially in early postoperative periods. We also recommend that careful attention to motor blockade should be paid when using 0.125% bupivacaine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.145-154
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• 1989

Pain is a common and important clinical symptom, and treatments aimed at relieving pain have a central position in medical practice. Recently Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) has been effectively used to control acute and chronic conditions that produce pain. But the mechanism of analgesia resulting from TENS remains obscure. In order to investigate the analgesic effect of TENS and it's action mechanism, TENS was applied in 40 rabbits with different frequencies, low frequency (2Hz) and high frequency (100Hz), for 20 minutes. And the pain threshold was measured by the temperature before and after stimulation, and an attempt was made to antagonize the stimulation effect with naloxone pretreatment (0.4 mg/kg) The results are as follows: 1) Both low frequency and high frequency TENS resulted in increasing the pain threshold significantly (Both p<0.01). 2) Naloxone pretreatment could antagonize the effect of increasing the pain threshold with low frequency TENS significantly (p<0.01), but not with high frequency TENS. Plasma beta-endorphin was measured by radioimmunoassay using an Beta-Endorphin Kit (Immunonuclear Corporation, Stillwater, Minnesota, USA) and Automatic Gamma Scintillation Counter (Micromedic System 4/2000) before and after stimulation. An attempt was made to reverse the stimulation effect with naloxone pretreatment (0.4 mg/kg). The results are as follows: 1) Low frequency TENS resulted in increasing the level of plasma beta.endorphin significantly (p<0.01), but high frequency TENS did not. 2) Naloxone pretreatment could reverse the effect of increasing the plasma beta-endorphin level with low frequency TENS significantly (p<0.01).

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.22-31
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• 2015

Background: The celiac plexus and splanchnic nerves are targets for neurolytic blocks for pain relief from pain caused by upper gastrointestinal tumors. Therefore, we investigated the analgesic effect of a celiac plexus block versus a splanchnic nerve block and the effects of these blocks on the quality of life six months post-intervention for patients with upper GIT tumors. Methods: Seventy-nine patients with inoperable upper GIT tumors and with severe uncontrolled visceral pain were randomized into two groups. These were Group I, for whom a celiac plexus block was used with a bilateral needle retrocrural technique, and Group II, for whom a splanchnic nerve block with a bilateral needle technique was used. The visual analogue scale for pain (0 to 100), the quality of life via the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and survival rates were assessed. Results: Pain scores were comparable in both groups in the first week after the block. Significantly more patients retained good analgesia with tramadol in the splanchnic group from 16 weeks onwards (P = 0.005, 0.001, 0.005, 0.001, 0.01). Social and cognitive scales improved significantly from the second week onwards in the splanchnic group. Survival of both groups was comparable. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the efficacy of the splanchnic nerve block technique appears to be clinically comparable to a celiac block. All statistically significant differences are of little clinical value.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.253-262
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the effects of treatment for dermatitis using the herbal gel preparations. Scutellariae Radix(SR) and Zingiberis Rhizoma(ZR) were used for the purpose of herbal preparations. Baicalin, baicalein are the ingredients of SR, having biological effects like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial and antiallergic action. 6-Gingerol is one of the ingredients of ZR having biologicai effects like anti-inflammatory and analgesic action. The three types of hydrogels(SRE, SRH, SZH) were formulated with Carbopol 940, Labrasol, Triethanolamine etc. Baicalin was hydrolysed to baicalein by $\beta$-glucuronidase for the purpose to increase rate of skin permeation. Content of ingredients by HPLC determination, rate of skin permeation using Franz type diffusion cell, anti-oxidative activity for the free radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide, anti-inflammatory by using carrageenan injection, efficacy on the dermatitis induced by 2,4-dinitro-chlorobenzene(DNCB) were experimented. Baicalein showed higher permeability than baicalin, so it is considered that baicalein was more suitable form than baicalin for transdermal absorption by its lipophilic property. In the anti-oxidative experiments, SZH gel was the most effective scavenging activity than the other gels in all experiments. In anti-inflammatory test, SRM and SZH gel more decreased edma rapidly than SRE gel. In case of using SZH gel, treatment period for the dermatitis was more declined than that of other gel groups. These results suggests that the SZH hydrogel could be suitable preparations for the treatment of dermatitis.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.217-224
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• 2001

To develop a novel transdermal delivery system of loxoprofen (LP), a potent antiinflammatory and analgesic agent, the effects of various vehicles and penetration enhancers on the skin permeation of LP from solution formulations were investigated. The permeation rate of LP through excised guinea pig skin was measured using a side-by-side permeation system at $32^{\circ}C$. The solubilities of LP in various vehicles were determined by the equilibrium solubility method, and partition coefficients $(P_c)$ were determined. The solubility of LP increased in the rank order of water & isopropyl myristate (IPM) & glyceryl dicaprylate/dicaprate & propylene glycol dicaprylate/caprate & propylene glycol laurate (PGL) & polyethylene glycol 400 & diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) & ethanol. n-Octanol-water $P_c$ value was 15.5. Among pure vehicles tested, IPM and PGL showed highest fluxes of $89.9{\pm}5.0$ and $45.4{\pm}0.3\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr$ from saturated solutions, respectively. However, it was not possible to demonstrate any correlation between the solubility of LP and its permeation rate, indicating the change in the barrier property of the skin and/or carrier mechanisms by vehicles tested. The addition of DGME to IPM or PGL markedly increased the solubility of LP, but the permeation rate did not decrease when the concentration of DGME in the cosolvent was increased upto 40%. The addition of linoleic acid (3%) in the cosolvent slightly increased the permeation rate, but others such as lauroyl sarcosine, fatty alcohols and fatty acids tested did not show enhancing effect. In conclusion, the DGME-IPM or DGME-PGL cosolvent system proved to be a good vehicle to enhance the skin permeation of LP.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

Background: The purpose is to determine the efficacy of additional intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) by comparing the analgesic effects between interscalene block (ISB) combined with IV-PCA and single ISB after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: A total of 213 patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery were divided into two groups based on the type of perioperative anesthesia. The single ISB group included 100 patients, while the IV-PCA group included 113 patients. The visual analogue scale for pain (VAS pain) scores were assessed at 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively in accordance with shoulder pathology. Postoperative narcotics-related complications and consumption of additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs between the two groups were compared. Results: VAS pain showed no significant difference between the two groups at most points of the postoperative timeline, regardless of shoulder pathology, except in patients with rotator cuff repair at postoperative 24 hours. Although the IV-PCA group showed a statistically lower VAS pain score than the ISB group at postoperative 24 hours (p=0.04), the difference in the VAS pain score was only 9.0 mm in patients with rotator cuff repair. Narcotics-related complications were observed more frequently in the IV-PCA group than in the ISB group for patients with rotator cuff repair. Conclusions: Additional IV-PCA demonstrated no booster effect for immediate pain control in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery with preoperative single ISB. Furthermore, patients with IV-PCA experienced greater narcotics-related complications.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.56-60
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• 2009

암성 통증의 80%는 진통제를 투여하는 약물치료로서 조절될수 있지만 $10{\sim}20%$는 다른 대책이 필요하다. 신경파괴제를 사용하는 블록은 이런 경우 중요한 역할을 한다. 신경블록은 암환자의 통증을 예방하고 삶의 질을 증가시킬수 있다. 특히 암성 통증이 신체 말단부위나 어떤 한 부위에 국한되 있는 경우 말초신경블록이나 교감신경블록은 좋은 효과를 나타낸다. 신경파괴제를 사용하는 교감신경블록 특히 복강신경총블록은 조기에 시행하면 훨씬 효과적이며 장기간 효과를 나타낸다. 환자 선택이 성공적인 결과를 얻는데 중요하다. 신경파괴제를 사용하는 신경블록은 복부 및 골반강내 암성통증을 감소시키고 진통제의 사용량을 감소시킬뿐 아니라 진통제에 관련된 부작용을 감소시키므로서 삶의 질을 향상시킨다. 따라서 조기단계에서 보다 적극적인 신경블록요법이 권고된다.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.126-131
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• 2018

This study investigates the effect of a combination of homeopathic medicine and electro- acupuncture in two patients with breast cancer and severe liver disease who could not receive standard anaesthesia therapy due to liver problems. Specifically, measurable and quantifiable parameters were used to evaluate whether an integrated approach-consisting of electro- acupuncture and a homeopathic medicine diluted above Avogadro's limit (that is, above a potency of 12CH) during the pre-surgical, surgical and post-surgical phases -can improve general well-being of a patient undergoing breast cancer surgery. In breast cancer surgery, we employed an integrated approach consisting of induction with hypnotics and muscle relaxants, followed by maintenance with anaesthetic gas, combined with a homeopathic treatment (Arnica montana 15CH and Apis mellifica 15CH) before and after surgery and an electro- acupuncture treatment performed in the pre- and post-surgical phases without any analgesic/pain relieving medications. Both of the patients treated with the integrated approach improved their overall condition without need for other common pain relieving medicines. Additionally, thanks to their rapid awakening, the patients were not relocated to a protected area and the hospitalization was shorter. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating homeopathic medicine and electro-acupuncture can be a solution for patients who need or ask about a different and/or safer alternative to the standard treatment. This approach can offer a safe, much less expensive, non-invasive and viable alternative for such cases. Moreover it can be useful for an opioids free anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.157-162
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• 2003

Background : The surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar can result in considerable pain, swelling, and dysfunction that patient are incapable of work for several days. Factors contributing to post operative swelling, trismus and pain are complex. There is no question but that the procedure of surgically removing an impacted mandibular third molar is inherently a traumatic one and that some sequelae related to the inflammation response are expected. Meticulous surgical technique will minimize the sequelae of inflammation but will not prevent them. In an effort to minimize these sequelae the use of steroid was instituted. Patients and Methods : Present study was to investigate the effect of one preoperative steroid injection in the masseter muscle to the patients(male 9, female 11) who needed prophylactic removal of bilateral, symmetrical, impacted wisdom teeth in the mandible on the complaint like swelling, trismus and pain. through Double-Blind test. Results : 1. After 24 hours investigation, preoperative steroid injection had significantly reduced swelling with 39% and trismus with 57.5%. 2. $7^{th}$ post operative day investigation, reduced swelling and trismus had shown, however, not significant. 3. There wasn't major difference from the group who took preve-ntive steroid in the visual analogue scale, the first analgesic intake time and the pain period. 4. There wasn't any adverse reaction of steroid for 20 patient From the above result, If the patients are not contraindication to steroid and pronounced post operative reaction can be expected the use of steroid to the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar is recommended.