• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 1992

Postoperative hypoxemia in the absence of hypoventilation occurs more often after thoracic or upper abdominal surgery than lower abdominal operations or surgery on extremities. Although the factors which produce postoperative alveolar collapse have not been fully evaluated, the dominant factor of postoperative hypoxemia is shunt of blood passing collapsed alveoli and the postoperative pain is associated with restriction of depth of breathing, sighing and movement. In 1979, the first successful clinical usage of epidurally administered morphine for control of postoperative pain was reported by Behar and associates. This study was carried out for twenty patients who received posterolateral thoracostomy with bleb resection between May 1990 and May 1991 and who were primary spontaneous recurrent pneumothoraxes under general endotracheal anesthesia. For the relief of post-thoracotomy pain following of the general anesthesia, we selected ten patients as control group which were treated intermittently IM with injection of pethidine(50 mg) according to the conventional method and another ten patients as study group which were managed with thoracic epidural analgesia. The tip of the catheter was inserted to T4-5 epidural space through T12-L1 or L1-2 interspinous region before the induction of the general anesthesia and then the epidural analgesics(0.25% bupivacaine 15 ml+morphine 3 mg) was injected once a day via the catheter until 4 th POD in the study group. The epidural catheters were removed at postoperative 4 th day in study group. Clinical observations were done about vital signs, ABG, tidal volume, FVC and occurence of adverse effects during postoperative 2hr, 8hr, 1st day, 2nd day, 7th day in both groups. The results were as follows; (1) The values of $V_T$ and FVC were significantly improved in study group(85% and 66%) as compared with control group(76% and 61%) during the postoperative 4 day of the epidural analgesia. (2) After the end of the epidural analgesia(7th POD), the values of FVC were improved invertly rather in control group(98%) than study group(84%). It suggested that the reduction of FVC in study group were caused by the raised pain sensitivity following the end of epidural analgesia. (3) The side effects of epidural analgesia such as transient urinary retention(2 cases), itching sensation(1) and headache(1) were noted.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.251-254
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• 2005

Spondylolysis, also known as stress injury of pars interarticularis, is a common cause of back pain in athletes, particularly children and young adults. Repeated minor traumas during flexion and extension of the spine are thought to result in bony failure due to excessive bone resorption. These lesions are common in the low back, with the majority found at the L5 vertebra. In the majority of cases of spondylolysis, non-operative treatments are recommended, such as NSAIDs, physiotherapy and bracing. Only if symptoms do not respond to conservative treatments should surgical intervention be considered. Recently, pars interarticularis injections for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes have been found to allow significant pain relief from spondylolysis for long periods. Here, the case of a 57-year-old man with spondylolysis, who suffered from back pain, which was not relieved by an epidural steroid injection, but in whom pars interarticularis injections of local anesthetic and steroid induced complete transient pain relief, following by moderate long-term relief, is presented.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.106-119
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• 1988

For the relief of pain in 3 cases of whiplash syndromes (case I, II and IV) and in one of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (case III), we have carried out six intentional. total spinal blocks (TSB) which attempted two times in case I, three in case II and one in carte III whoso various symptoms were chronically unresponsive to the usual conservative treatments, and a time of cervical epidural and right suprascapular nerve block in case W whose acute symptom lasted 4 drys following the cervical injury (see fables from 1 to 9). During the 753, we have observed clinically the sequential charges of respiration, lid and pupil reflexes, body motion and consciousness. And checked the blood pressure, pulse rate and arterial Pco2. The effectiveness of those blocks has been assessed by using the Visual Analog Scale which is designed to measure the patient$\acute{s}$ subjective intensity of pain and also we have found out the sequelae following those blocks. The methods of the blocks were as the following: 1. Under the N.P.O. for 8~10 hours, the preparations of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and premedication with atropine 0.5mg at thirty minutes before the TSB, it was performed by injecting the mixture of 2% mepivacaine 10 or 15ml and normal saline 10 or 5ml through No. 23 G. spinal needle into the subarachnoid space of $C_7-T_1$ interspinous region with fully flexed neck on the lateral posture. Immediately after the injection of the local anesthetic in the lateral position, the patient$\acute{s}$ were hasten to change Trendelenburg$\acute{s}$ position in order to act the drugs cephalad and to make easy controlled respiration with oxygen. 2. The cervical epidural block was done by injecting the mixture of 0.5% bupivacaine 4ml, normal saline 4ml and triamcinolone 15mg through No. 18 G. Tuohy needle into the epidural space on the same region and posture as the above without premedication.7he suprascapular nerve block was done by injecting of 0.5% bupivacaine 3ml only into the right suprascapular fossa on the sitting posture. The results were as the following: 1. The cessation of respiration was seen within 5 minutes following the subarachnoidal injection of the above 20ml mixture in 2 to 3 minutes and then soon the consciousness began to disappear. The loss of Lid and pupil reflexes noted between 5 to 10 minutes and the size of the dilated pupils was equal between 5 to 20 minutes, but the pupil of the dependent side on tile lateral position was dilated 1 to 3 minutes earlier than that of the independent. The patients had r=ever responded to any stimulations during the TSB except their heart funtion. 2. The recovery of the TSB was as the following, firstly the ankle and lower limb of the independent side began to move slightly with in 34 to 75 minutes after the injection and then that of the dependent Secondly the neck and upper limb moved 6 to 15 minutes later than the lower limb. Thirdly the self respiration began to appear between 40 to 80 minutes from the block. The lid and pupil reacted to touch and light respectively between 40 to 80 minutes but the pupil of the independent side responded earlier than that of the depends. Lastly the consciousness recovered completely between 80 to 125 minutes from the block. 3. In the cardiopulmonary function during the TSB, the blood pressure were stable except the 210/130 tory at the and block of case I. There were bradycardias between 65 to 85 minutes in case I and II but no arrythmia on the EKG. The level of the arterial Pco2 was maintained to 43~45 torr during the TSB. 4. The effectiveness of the above blocks was no pain(0%) in case IV, and light (10~20%) in case I and II but no improvement in case III. 5. The right arm weakness has been complicated as to be Injected accidently the "COLD" local anesthetic at the End block of case I.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.3-17
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• 2017

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of acute herpes zoster. In some cases, it is refractory to medical treatment. Preventing its occurrence is an important issue. We hypothesized that applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of herpes zoster could reduce PHN incidence by attenuating central sensitization and minimizing nerve damage and the anti-inflammatory effects of local anesthetics and steroids. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of using nerve blocks to prevent PHN. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and KoreaMed databases without language restrictions on April, 30 2014. We included all randomized controlled trials performed within 3 weeks after the onset of herpes zoster in order to compare nerve blocks vs active placebo and standard therapy. Results: Nine trials were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Nerve blocks reduced the duration of herpes zoster-related pain and PHN incidence of at 3, 6, and 12 months after final intervention. Stellate ganglion block and single epidural injection did not achieve positive outcomes, but administering paravertebral blockage and continuous/repeated epidural blocks reduced PHN incidence at 3 months. None of the included trials reported clinically meaningful serious adverse events. Conclusions: Applying nerve blocks during the acute phase of the herpes zoster shortens the duration of zoster-related pain, and somatic blocks (including paravertebral and repeated/continuous epidural blocks) are recommended to prevent PHN. In future studies, consensus-based PHN definitions, clinical cutoff points that define successful treatment outcomes and standardized outcome-assessment tools will be needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.96-102
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• 2016

Background: It is widely accepted that cervical interlaminar steroid injection (CIESI) is more effective in treating radicular pain than axial neck pain, but without direct comparison. And the differences of effect after CIESI according to MRI findings are inconsistent. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the therapeutic response of CIESI according to pain sites, durations, MRI findings, and other predictive factors altogether, unlike previous studies, which evaluated them separately. Methods: The medical records of 128 patients who received fluoroscopy guided CIESI were analyzed. We evaluated the therapeutic response (more than a 50% reduction on the visual analog scale [VAS] by their second visit) after CIESI by (1) pain site; neck pain without radicular pain/radicular pain with or without neck pain, (2) pain duration; acute/chronic (more than 6 month), and (3) findings of MRI; herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD)/spinal stenosis, respectively and altogether. Results: Eighty-eight patients (68%) responded to CIESI, and there were no significant differences in demographic data, initial VAS score, or laboratory findings. And there were no significant differences in the response rate relating to pain site, pain duration, or MRI findings, respectively. In additional analysis, acute radicular pain with HIVD patients showed significantly better response than chronic neck pain with spinal stenosis (P = 0.04). Conclusions: We cannot find any sole predictive factor of therapeutic response to the CIESI. But the patients having acute radicular pain with HIVD showed the best response, and those having other chronic neck pain showed the worst response to CIESI.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.374-379
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• 1996

Background: Recently, improvements in drug administration technology have intensified interest in the treatment of postoperative pain. this has resulted in increased use of continuous intravenous infusion of opioid and epidural opioid as alternative to traditional intramuscular administration of opioid. The goal of this study, therefore, was to document the effects of pain control and side effects following continuous intravenous infusion of morphine or meperidine and intramuscular meperidine following cesarean section. Methods: The vital signs, pain score, oxygen saturation and side effects were compared in 150 patients receiving continuous intravenous infusion of morphine, 30 ${\mu}g/kg/hr$ (n=50, group 1); continuous intravenous infusion of meperidine, 150 ${\mu}g/kg/hr$ (n=50, group 2); or intramuscular meperidine, 50mg/every 6hrs (n=50, group 3). Results: VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was significantly decreased after 30 minutes of administration in all three groups and was significantly lower at 1 hour, but higher at 6 hours in group 3 than two other groups. Severe desaturation episode, defined as $SpO_2$<90%, occurred in the group 3(0.2%). Moderate desaturation episodes, defined as $SpO_2$ 91~95%, occurred more in group 3 than in group 1 and 2 (17.4% vs. 10.4%, 8.2%). The incidence of side effects were similar among three groups. Conclusion: The continuous infusion of opioid was more effective and safe method of postoperative pain control than traditional intramuscular injection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.163-167
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• 2001

Objective : Percutaneous vertebroplasty has recently been introduced as an interesting therapeutic alternative for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures in elderly persons with osteoporosis. The authors present the early results of this method. Method and Material : From July 1999 to April 2000, percutaneous transpedicular technique was used in 20 patients (2 men and 18 women) whose mean age was 67.5 years old(range 59-79) with painful vertebral compression(22) and burst(2) fractures. The interval between fracture and vertebroplasty ranged 1 day to 4 months. The procedure involved percutaneous puncture of the injured vertebra via transpedicular approach under fluoroscopic guidance, followed by injection of polymethylmetacrylate(PMMA) into the vertebral body through a disposable 11-guage Jamshidi needle. Result : The most common cause of fracture was slip down and the most frequent injured level was the twelfth thoracic spine. The procedure was technically successful bilaterally in 18 patients(9 thoracic and 15 lumbar spines) with an average injection amount of 7.7ml PMMA in each level. Seventeen(94.4%) patients reported significant pain relief immediately after treatment. Two leaks of PMMA were detected with postoperative CT in spinal epidural space and extravertebral soft tissue without clinical symptoms. Conclusion : Although this study represents the early results, percutaneous vertebroplasty seems to be valuable tool in the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral body fractures in elderly, providing acute pain relief and early mobilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.69-74
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• 2008

Purpose: The majority of patients with radiculopathy caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) heal spontaneously without surgery. The aim of this report is to describe the spontaneous regression of lumbar disc herniation and the results of clinical follow-up. Methods: Three patients with radiating low back pain presented with an extruded intervertebral disc on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed follow-up with conservative treatment (epidural injection, medication, physical therapy, exercise) and clinical assessments on the 6th, 10th and 22nd months. Results: The extruded intervertebral disc almost complete regressed, and correlated with clinical improvement and follow-up MRI. Conclusion: Conservative treatment can be an effective approach for a herniated lumbar discs if no neurological deficits are present.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.1-2
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• 2010

Chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) is one of the major health problems casting substantial amount of economic expenses and negative impact on quality of life onto an individual as well as society. On contrary to public familiarity, the ways of management of CLBP are diverse and there is yet no general consensus about which approach is better than others or to whom the specific management should be applied. Some hold the negative point of view on the efficacy of the invasive maneuver such as epidural injection because there is no controlled clinical trial (RCT) yielding better long term outcome of those invasive managements over conservative ones. But the experts of interventional or surgical treatment stress the methodological difficulty in performing RCT and assert that those invasive treatments can bring the prompt and complete resolution of low back pain and restoration of function in appropriately selected cases. These seemingly opposite views on the invasive management on CLBP are rather complimentary each other than to be contradictory.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.294-298
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• 1998

The feature of neuropathic pain may occur in the absence of any apparent stimulus and be exaggerated in either amplitude or duration. Peripheral nerve injury may produce neuropathic pain and opioids have been shown to be relatively unsatisfactory for the treatment of most cases of neuropathic pain. The NMDA receptor system is involved in transmission and modulation of nociceptive information. We treated patients with severe pain, hyperaesthesia and allodynia with epidural injection of NMDA receptor antagonist, ketamine (10 mg) and morphine (0.5 mg) or other opioid. The combinations provided effective pain management in 23 patients with neuropathic pain.