• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.304-314
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• 2021

Background: The study investigated virtual reality (VR) immersion in alleviating procedure-related pain in patients with chronic pain undergoing fluoroscopy-guided minimally-invasive intervention in a prone position at an outpatient clinic. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, 38 patients undergoing lumbar sympathetic ganglion block were randomized into either the VR or the control group. In the VR group, procedure-related pain was controlled via infiltration of local anesthetics while watching a 30-minute VR hypnotic program. In the control group, the skin infiltration alone was used, with the VR device switched off. The primary endpoint was an 11-point score on the numerical rating scale, indicating procedure-related pain. Patients' satisfaction with pain control, anxiety levels, the need for additional local anesthetics during the procedure, hemodynamic stability, and any adverse events were assessed. Results: Procedure-related pain was significantly lower in the VR group (3.7 ± 1.4) than in the control group (5.5 ± 1.7; P = 0.002). Post-procedural anxiety was lower in the VR group than in the control group (P = 0.025), with a significant reduction from pre-procedural anxiety (P < 0.001). Although patients' satisfaction did not differ significantly (P = 0.158) between the groups, a higher number of patients required additional local anesthetics in the control group (n = 13) than in the VR group (n = 4; P = 0.001). No severe adverse events occurred in either group during the study. Conclusions: VR immersion can be safely used as a novel adjunct to reduce procedural pain and anxiety during fluoroscopic pain intervention.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.105-110
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• 2018

Background: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. Methods: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. Results: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. Conclusions: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.817-822
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• 2000

Video assisted thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic imporvement. However the degree of satisfaction may diminish with time due to cmpensatory sweating or excessive hand dryness. Therefore by comparing and assessing the degree of symptomatic improvement or compensatory sweating following sympathectomy or sympathicotomy at various levels we aim to determine the optimal level of sympathetic nerve block which will result in minimal side effects and maximal benefit. Material and Method: Among 194 patients having undergone video assisted thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy between January 1996 and June 1999, 137 patients who responded to either telephone interview or questionnaire were included in the current study. The patients were divided into three groups. Group I(n=61) ; patients having undergone T2,3,4 sympathectomy group II(35) ; patients having undergone T2 sympathicotomy and group III(41) ; patients having undergone limited T2 sympathicotomy which consist of block of interganglionic neuronal fiber on the third rib. The parameters studied comprised of pre- and post-operative palmar temperature change treatment satisfaction the degree of compensatory sweating or discomfort from palmar dryness postoperative complication and changes in plantar sweating Result : There was no difference in age and sex among the groups and the mean postoperative elevation in palmar temperature was 21.59$^{\circ}C$ without any differences among the groups. Patients expressing satisfaction were 65.6%, 62.9% and 90.24% in groups I, II and III, respectively(p<0.05) Moderate to severe compensatory sweating was present in 65.6% 51.4%, and 24.39%, in group I, II, and III, respectively(p<0.05) Slight but comfortable amount of palmar humidness was expressed in decreasing order group III(41.6%) group I(24.6%) and group II(5.7%) (p<0.05) Ineffectiveness or recurrence was present in 5patients in group I(8.2%) 1 patient in group II(2.9%) and none in group III. With regards to plantar sweating decrease in sweating was expressed in 43 patients(31.4%) while similar degree of sweating in 61 patients(44.5%) and increase in sweating in another 33 patinets(24.1%) Conclusion : Limited T2 sympathicotomy resection of the lower interganglionic neuronal fiber of the second sympathetic ganglion on the third rib showed immediate effect in palmar hyperhidrosis and caused lesser compensatory sweating and hand dryness.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.199-204
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• 2018

Background: The authors have performed ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) in our clinic using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 6th cervical vertebra (C6). Although SGB at C6 is a convenient and safe method, there are ongoing concerns about the weak effect of sympathetic blockade in the ipsilateral upper extremity. Therefore, ultrasound-guided SGB was attempted using a lateral paracarotid approach at the level of the 7th cervical vertebra (C7). This prospective study aimed to compare changes in skin temperature after SGB was performed at C6 and C7, and to introduce a lateral paracarotid approach for SGB. Methods: Thirty patients underwent SGB twice: once at C6 and once at C7. For every SGB, the skin temperature of the patient's hypothenar area was measured for 15 min at 1-min intervals. Skin temperatures before and after SGB and side effects were compared between C6 and C7 groups. Results: The temperature of the upper extremity increased after SGB was performed at C6 and C7. There were significant differences between mean pre-SGB and the largest increases in post-SGB temperatures ($0.50{\pm}0.38^{\circ}C$ and $1.41{\pm}0.68^{\circ}C$ at C6 and C7, respectively; p<0.05). Significantly increased post-SGB temperatures (difference > $1^{\circ}C$) were found in 5/30 (16.7%) and 24/30 (80%) cases for C6 and C7, respectively (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in side effects between SGB performed at C6 or C7 (p>0.05). Conclusion: The lateral paracarotid approach using out-of-plane needle insertion for ultrasound-guided SGB performed at C7 was feasible and more effective at elevating skin temperature in the upper extremity than SGB at C6.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.108-111
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• 2011

Herpes zoster as a result of reactivated varicella-zoster virus is characterized by vesicular eruptions on skin and painful neuralgia in the dermatome distribution. Pain during an acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. The current therapies for herpes zoster including analgesics and sympathetic nerve block as well as antiviral agents are important to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. However, in some cases, the pain does not respond well to these treatments. We had a case in which a patient with herpes zoster did not respond to conventional therapy so we attempted to administer intravenous infusion of vitamin C which resulted in an immediate reduction in the pain.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.36-38
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• 2007

The pathomechanisms involved in both restless legs syndrome (RLS) and complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) are still controversial whether they are central or peripheral origins. We recently encountered a patient who had an unusual coexistence of both RLS and CRPS I, and both of which showed good responses to sympathetic block. These findings suggest the role of peripheral mechanisms, especially unmyelinated small autonomic fiber, in both RLS and CRPS I.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제36권8호
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• pp.595-601
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• 2003

다한증 환자의 가장 효과적인 치료방법은 흉강경 최소절개를 이용한 교감신경 차단술로 알려져 있다. 하지만 수술 후 발생하는 보상성 다한증과 무한증이 수술의 만족도를 감소시키는 중요한 요인이므로 환자에게 적극적인 수술 적응을 하기가 어렵다 합병증을 줄이기 위한 방법으로 교감신경의 선택적인 교통가지 차단술을 시행하였으나 시술의 어려움과 혈관 손상으로 인한 출혈의 위험성으로 보편화되지 못하였다. 본원에서는 사체를 이용하여 새로운 수술기법을 연구하고 이를 임상에 적용하여 좋은 결과를 얻었기에 보고한다. 대상 및 방법:포르말린 처리를 하기 전 사체 3구를 대상으로 실험하였다. 앙와위에서 전흉부를 모두 절제한 후 양측 흉부 교감신경을 노출시켰다. 교감신경의 분지와 교통가지의 위치를 확인하였고 2번째와 3번째 교통가지에 클립을 이용한차단술을 시행하였다. 교통가지 차단술 후 교감신경절을 포함한 교감신경을 절제하여 교통가지의 차단 정도를 관찰하였다. 임상적용은 25명의 환자에서 시행하였으며 평균 연령은 21세였다. 수술은 전신마취와 양측 페 환기를 하고 반 좌위 자세에서 시행하였다 4번째 늑간에 2 mm 흉강경을 삽입하였고 겨드랑이에 5 mm 트로카를 삽입하고 내시경용 클립을 이용하여 2번째와 3번째 교감 신경절 교통가지를 차단하였다. 수술 후 전화 설문 조사를 통하여 합병증의 유무, 만족도, 보상성 다한증의 발생 정도를 관찰하였다. 결과: 사체 3구에서 모두 교감신경 교통가지의 차단을 완벽하게 시행할 수 있었다 임상환자에서 모두 수술로 증세의 호전이 있었으며 기존의 교통가지 절제술에 비하여 수술 시간을 단축할 수 있었고 수술로 인한 합병증은 발생하지 않았다. 수술 후 수부 다한증은 모든 환자에서 호전되었으나 4명의 환자는 수술의 만족도가 감소하였다. 보상성 다한증은 15명의 환자(60%)에서 중증 이상으로 발생하였고 6명의 환자는 없거나 잘 느끼지 못하는 정도로 발생하였다. 미각다한증은 2명의 환자에서 발생하였으나 정도는 심하지 않았다 걸론: 본 연구의 수술방법은 2개의 피부 절개와 하모닉 스칼펠, 클립을 사용하여 쉽게 교감신경의 교통가지를 차단할 수 있었고 교통가지 절제술에 비하여 수술시간 및 출혈의 위험성을 감소시킬 수 있었다. 또한 교감신경 절제술에 비하여 비슷한 정도의 수술 성공률을 보이면서 보상성 다한증의 정도나 발생 빈도를 줄일 수 있어 우수한 수술 방법이라 생각한다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.34-39
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• 1990

급성 대상 포진환자 51예를 분석하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 발생 빈도는 50대 이상 고령층의 여자에서 높았다. 2) 이환 부위는 흉추부가 가장 많았다. 3) 통증 성격은 매우 다양하였으나 쏜다, 찌른다, 쑤신다가 가장 많았다. 4) 진통제는 aspirin과 phenobarbital을 가장 많이 사용하였다. 5) 스테로이드는 전신적으로 사용한 예가 가장 많았고 전신적 및 경막외로 병용했던 예가 많았다. 6) 신경차단으로 두경부 질환에는 성상 신경절 차단, 그 이하는 경막외 차단이 가장 많았다. 7) 대상 포진후 신경통으로 이행하는 율은 11.8%였다. 이상의 결과는 급성 대상 포진의 치료에 탁월한 효과를 갖는 단독적인 방법이 없다는 것을 의미하며 통계적으로 명확히 증명되지는 않았으나 국소 마취제에 스테로이드를 혼합하여 경막외에 주입하는 것이 확실한 교감신경 차단과 병소 및 전신적인 약물 효과를 얻을수 있다는 점에서 유리할 것으로 사료된다.

• 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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• 제7권1호
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• pp.69-73
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• 1994

A 37 years old man who suffered from right facial palsy was treated successfully with the application of both magnetic resonance diagnostic analyser(MRA) and stellate Ganglion block(SGB). SGB is effective in treatment of facial palsy resulting from abolishing cerebral vascular spasm and increasing cerebral blood flow. Short daily period of exposure to appropriate MRA can also modulate the balance of autonomic nervous system that are responsible for sympathetic overflow resulting the edema and poor circulation on the course of the facial nerve. It was seemed that recovery of facial palsy by application of both MRA and SGB was faster than by SGB only.