• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.809-814
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• 1997

Continuous epidural pain block with a local anesthetic agents is a commonly employed technique for pain relief after thoracotomy. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the continuous epidural pain block in 19 patients undergoing elective lateral or posterolatrral thoracotomy with control group(n=19) from November 1994 to July 1995, Epidural lidocaine and morphine mixtures were injected via an epidural catheter as a bolus after operation, and then bupivacaine and morphine mixtures were injected continuously following 5 or 6 days. The pain score, upper arm elevation(ROM score), and respiratory rate were significantly changed(P<0.05) from 30min after injection. The CO2 tension of arterial blood was decreased significantly(P<0.05) from 2hr after injection. The postoperative hospital days were decreased significantly(P<0.05). Side effects of the epidural pain block were urinary retention(n= 10), urticaria(n=2) and a case of headache. There was no postoperative lung atelectasis. We conclude that the continuous epidural pain block is good for prevention of the postoperative lung complication and early recovery after thoracotomy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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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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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.134-137
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• 1997

We report a case of cauda equine syndrome following caudal anesthesia possibly caused by metastatic spine tumor. Male, 80-year-old, who had prostatic carcinoma with $L_3$ and $L_4$ spine metastasis was scheduled for bilateral orchiectomy. Twenty two-gauge needle was introduced at sacral hiatus and 15 ml of 2% lidocaine administered. The next morning, patient complained of perineal numbness and urination difficulty. During the next several day patient had episodes of fecal incontinence and motor weakness on both lower extremities. This case reminded us that neuroaxial blocks such as spinal, epidural and caudal anesthesia, should be used with extreme care in patients having neoplasm with high incidence of spine metastasis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2007

Background: Although the use of intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IVPCA) has been compared to the use of patient conrolled epidural analgesia (PCEA), there is no optimal administration route of alfentanil for the treatment of postoperative pain. This randomized double-blind study compared the efficacy of the use of IVPCA and PCEA for postoperative pain and the side effects after a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Methods: Sixty patients undergoing a TAH were randomly assigned to receive either IVPCA (Group I) or PCEA (Group E) for the infusion of alfentanil for postoperative pain control. In both groups, a loading dose of $750{\mu}g$ alfentanil was administered. All patients received the same continuous infusion rate (0.3 mg/h), bolus dose (0.15 mg), and lockout time (15 min). The incidence of side effects, the VAS (visual analog scale) of pain, blood pressure, and heart rate were checked for 20 hours after the loading dose injection. Results: The VAS of pain was not significantly different between the two groups of patients. The onset of the analgesic effect was significantly more rapid in the Group I patients than in the Group E patients. There was no difference in side effects for either group. Conclusions: When considering multiple factors such as the onset of analgesia, technical difficulties or infection after the procedure, IVPCA using alfentanil is more useful than PCEA for postoperative pain control after a TAH.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2015

Background: Caudal epidural injections have been commonly performed in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. Although caudal injection has generally been accepted as a safe procedure, serious complications such as inadvertent intravascular injection and dural puncture can occur. The present prospective study was designed to investigate the influence of the depth of the inserted needle on the success rate of caudal epidural blocks. Methods: A total of 49 adults scheduled to receive caudal epidural injections were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 to receive the caudal injection through a conventional method, i.e., caudal injection after advancement of the needle 1 cm into the sacral canal (n = 25), and Group 2 to receive the injection through a new method, i.e., injection right after penetrating the sacrococcygeal ligament (n = 24). Ultrasound was used to identify the sacral hiatus and to achieve accurate needle placement according to the allocated groups. Contrast dyed fluoroscopy was obtained to evaluate the epidural spread of injected materials and to monitor the possible complications. Results: The success rates of the caudal injections were 68.0% in Group 1 and 95.8% in Group 2 (P = 0.023). The incidences of intravascular injections were 24.0% in Group 1 and 0% in Group 2 (P = 0.022). No intrathecal injection was found in either of the two groups. Conclusions: The new caudal epidural injection technique tested in this study is a reliable alternative, with a higher success rate and lower risk of accidental intravascular injection than the conventional technique.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.176-180
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• 2001

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the antiemetic effects of intravenous dexamethasone in preventing continuously infused epidural morphine-related nausea and vomiting. Methods: Twenty-seven patients requiring general anesthesia for gastrectomy were enrolled in a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study. At the end of surgery, all patients received epidural morphine 3 mg and were connected to an epidural morphine infusion pump for 2 days in order to relieve postoperative pain. Before the morphine injection, the dexamethasone group (n = 12) received IV dexamethasone 10 mg, whereas the saline group (n = 15) received IV saline. The incidence of nausea & vomiting, pruritus, back pain and VAS scores were assessed in the recovery room, and at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in the total incidence of nausea and vomiting, pruritus, back pain or in the VAS scores. However, there was no vomiting and no back pain in the dexamethasone group. Conclusions: Intravenous dexamethasone did not significantly decrease the total incidence of nausea or vomiting in patients receiving continuous epidural morphine for postoperative pain control. However, IV dexamethasone appears to decrease the severity of nausea, vomiting and back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.159-165
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• 1996

Background: Epidural analgesia has been widely used for postoperative pain relief. However, it is not known which regimen provides the best result due to many variety. The aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesia and side effects of epidural mixute of fentanyl, bupivacaine and clonidine, as one kind of regimen. Methods: One hundred adult patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were evaluated. Epidural catheterization was done after operation. A bolus, 0.1% bupivacaine 10 ml containing fentanlyl 100 ${\mu}g$, was administered and followed up with continuous infusion of mixture of fntanyl 600 ${\mu}g$, 0.5% bupivacaine 20ml and clonidine 150 ${\mu}g$ at a rate of 2ml/hr for 50 hours. Analgesia was assessed using VAS, PHS and PRS. Side effects and number of patients who took additional analgesics were evalutated. Plasma samples were obtained to determine fentanyl concentration. Results: After the administrations of drugs, patients pain scores decreased notably, and pain relief scores increased significantly. Minimum side effects were noted. Twenty-one patients required additional analgesics. Plasma concentration of fentanyl was 0.07~0.14 ng/ml. Conclusion: Epidural infusion of mixture of fentanyl, bupivacaine and clonidine is an effective regimen for postoperative pain relief after upper abdominal surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 1999

Backgroud: Systemic administration of opioid can prolong the duration of epidural anesthesia. The authors examined the effect of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$) on the level of sensory block induced by epidural lidocaine. Methods: Twenty minutes after epidural injection of 2% lidocaine (below 70 years : 20 ml, 70 years and above : 15 ml), the level of sensory block was assessed (2nd stage). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either medical air (control group, n=15) or 50% $N_2O$ in oxygen ($N_2O$ group, n=15) for 10 minutes, the level of block was reassessed (3rd stage). Pateints were given room air (control group) or 100% oxygen for 5 minutes and room air for 5 minutes ($N_2O$ group), and the level of block was reassessed (4th stage). Results: At the 3rd stage, $N_2O$ group showed 4.3 cm cephalad increase in the level of sensory block (p=0.005), but control group revealed 1.43 cm regression. After discontinuation of gas, the level of block regressed in both group (p=0.000). At the 4th stage, $N_2O$ group revealed 3.5 cm cephalad increase (p=0.048) and control group 1.97 cm regression (p=0.001) as compared with the 2nd stage. Conclusions: The level of sensory block induced by epidural lidocaine was significantly increased cephalad by concommitant use of 50% $N_2O$ for 10 minutes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1999

This study was performed to evaluate the anesthetic effects of the epidural administration of tiletamin-zolazepam and lidocaine to rats. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratoty rate and blood chemistry were examined according to the time lapse, after the administration of tiletamine-zolazepam, lidocaine or saline. The results obtained were as follows. 1, Tiletamine-zolazepam group revealed fast anesthesia onset time (p＜0.01) and also revealed prolonged ambulation time compared with lidocaine group (p＜0.01). 2. In the effects of blood pressure, tiletamine-zolazepam group revealed significantly higher value than lidocaine group or saline group, and revealed the highest value at 20 minutes after administration. According to the time lapse, blood pressure of tiletamine-zolazepam group was recovered and showed similar value with lidocaine group and control group at 90 minutes after administration. 3. In the effects of heart rate, tiletamine-zolazepam group revealed significantly lower value than lidocaine group or saline group and revealed the lowest value at 30 minutes after administration, and recovered similar value with pre-administration at 90 minutes after administration. 4. In the effects of respiratory rate, lidocaine group revealed significantly lower value at 30 minutes administration compared with 0 and 60 minutes after administration (p＜0.01). Tiletamine-zolazepam group also revealed significantly lower value at 30 minutes compared with 0 and 60 minutes after administration (p<0.01). The changes at 60 minutes after administration, lidocaine group revealed lower value than saline or tiletamine-zolazepam group, and tiletamine-zolazepam group revealed similar value with 0 minutes. 5. In the effects of tidal volume, lidocaine group revealed significantly lower value than saline group (p＜0.001) and tiletamine-zolazepam group also revealed lower value than saline group, at 30 minutes after administration. The values at 60 minutes after administration, revealed similar results with that of 30 minutes after administration. 6. In the blood chemistry, the values of alanine transminase (ALT), aspartate transminase(AST) and creatinine did not reveal significant results at 60 minutes after administration. The values of ALT at 60 minutes slightly decreased compared with pre-administration, and revealed normal level.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1997

Background: Authors modified the traditional continuous axillary brachial plexus block technique of Selander for purpose of increasing success rate and decreasing complications by use of commercial epidural anesthesia set. Method: Thirty-nine patients scheduled for upper extremity operations were injected with 40 ml of anesthetic solution by axillary perivascular technique, using 23~25G immobile needle at 2 cm from the pectoralis major. Tuohy needle was immediately introduced at 4 cm from the pectoralis major and pierced the expanded neurovascular sheath at an angle of 30 degree to the skin. The "pop" was well noted well. Needle was advanced 0.5 to 3.0 cm and epidural catheter introduced through the needle. After removal of needle, occlusive dressing was done. Tip of catheter and spread of solution were demonstrated by fluoroscopy with contrast dye after completion of procedure. Result: Catheter insertion was successful at first attempt for all case. Total length of insertion was from 6 to 13($10.0{\pm}1.7$) cm. Tip of catheter was placed in infraclavicular space(66.7%), about the humeral head(17.9%) and in upper arm in 3 cases as U-shape(7.9%). Catheters were maintained for $6.7{\pm}2.6$(3-12) days. There were no complications such as: perforation of major vessels, needle trauma to nerve, infection, bleeding or hematoma. Conclusion: This study demonstrated continuous axillary brachial plexus block with epidural anesthesia set is safe, easy and convenient modification of technique of Selander.