Treatment of Palmar Hyperhidrosis With Radiofrequency Microneedling-Based on Ultrasound Measurements.

This study addresses the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis, which has been difficult to manage. A new treatment has been developed using radiofrequency microneedling to reduce sweating non-surgically by ablating sweat glands. Based on ultrasound measurements of the dermis and precise microneedling damage, effective energy was applied to locate the sweat glands and disabled their function. Radiofrequency microneedling with ultrasound can safely and effectively treat hyperhidrosis in a minimally invasive way.

An ultrasound evaluation of laryngeal mask airway position in pediatric patients: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: In children, the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is frequently displaced within the hypopharynx, resulting in repositioning of the device. When the tip of the LMA is placed in the esophageal inlet, the arytenoids are moved ventrally. When the LMA is rotated or deviated, the ventral movement of the arytenoids may result in asymmetric elevation of an arytenoid cartilage, which can be detected with ultrasound (US). In this study, we sought to estimate the incidence of LMA malposition detected with US in pediatric patients. The primary end point was to compare the incidence of LMA malposition between US and fiber optic bronchoscopy (FOB). The secondary end points were to find the interrelationship between US-detected and FOB-detected malposition of the LMA and to locate the diagnostic performance of US in detecting LMA malposition. METHODS: In this observational study, 100 consecutive children were included. After anesthetic induction, US evaluation was performed before and after LMA insertion to obtain the glottic image on the anterior neck. FOB was performed to assess LMA position (FOB LMA grade and LMA rotation grade). With a post-LMA US image, the symmetry of the arytenoid cartilages was evaluated. Asymmetrical elevation of an arytenoid cartilage in reference to the glottic midline and the opposite arytenoid cartilage was graded as 0 to 3 (US arytenoid grade). The interrelationships between US arytenoid grade and FOB LMA grade or LMA rotation grade were assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of asymmetrical elevation of an arytenoid was 50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40%-60%). On FOB, the incidence of LMA malposition was 78% (95% CI, 69%-86%), and that of LMA rotation was 43% (95% CI, 33%-53%). The incidence of LMA malposition was higher with FOB (P < 0.0001), but the incidence of rotation was similar (P = 0.395). US arytenoid grade did not correlate with FOB LMA grade (P = 0.611) but showed a significant correlation with LMA rotation grade (P < 0.0001; 95% CI, 60%-83%). To detect a rotated LMA, US had a sensitivity of 93% (95% CI, 81%-98%) and a specificity of 82% (95% CI, 70%-91%). The positive and negative predictive values were 80% (95% CI, 66%-90%) and 94% (95% CI, 83%-99%), respectively. The accuracy was 87% (95% CI, 79%-93%). CONCLUSIONS: Although US could not detect the suboptimal depth of an LMA, US has promise of being an accurate tool in detecting a rotated LMA.

Adequate sedation with single-dose dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate with spinal anaesthesia: a dose-response study by age group.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine (DMT), a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist, has been used safely as a sedative in patients under regional anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the 50% effective dose (ED50) of single-dose DMT to induce adequate light sedation in elderly patients in comparison with younger patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Forty-two male patients were recruited. The young age group (Group Y) included patients 45 to 64 years old and the old age group (Group O) included patients 65 to 78 years old. After the spinal anesthesia was performed, a pre-calculated dose of DMT was administered for 10 min. The Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) scale, bispectral index score (BIS) were assessed then at 2-min intervals for 20 min. A modified Dixon's up-and-down method was used to determine the ED50 of the drug for light sedation (OAA/S score 3/4). In the recovery room, regression times of the motor and sensory blocks were recorded. RESULTS: The ED50 of DMT was 0.25 (95% C.I. 0.15-0.35) µg/kg in Group O and 0.35 (95% C.I. 0.35-0.45) µg/kg in Group Y (p = 0.002). The ED95 was 33% lower in Group O compare with Group Y (0.38 (95% C.I. 0.29-0.39) µg/kg vs. 0.57 (95% C.I. 0.49-0.59) µg/kg). The regression time of sensory block was longer in Group O than in Group Y (109.0 ± 40.2 min vs. 80.0 ± 31.6 min) (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The single-dose of DMT for light sedation was lower by 21% in Group O compare with Group Y underwent TURP with spinal anesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01665586. Registered July 31, 2012.

Fentanyl sparing effects of combined ketorolac and acetaminophen for outpatient inguinal hernia repair in children.

PURPOSE: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study we sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined use of intravenous ketorolac and acetaminophen in small children undergoing outpatient inguinal hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 55 children 1 to 5 years old who were undergoing elective repair of unilateral inguinal hernia. After induction of general anesthesia children in the experimental group (28 patients) received 1 mg/kg ketorolac and 20 mg/kg acetaminophen intravenously. In the control group (27 patients) the same volume of saline was administered. All patients received 1 microg/kg fentanyl intravenously before incision. We also evaluated the number of patients requiring postoperative rescue fentanyl, total fentanyl consumption, pain scores and side effects. RESULTS: Significantly fewer patients receiving ketorolac-acetaminophen received postoperative rescue fentanyl compared to controls (28.6% vs 81.5%). A significantly lower total dose of fentanyl was administered to patients receiving ketorolac-acetaminophen compared to controls (0.54 vs 1.37 microg/kg). Pain scores were significantly higher in the control group immediately postoperatively but eventually decreased. The incidences of sedation use (55.6% vs 25.0%) and vomiting (33.3% vs 10.7%) were significantly higher in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intravenous coadministration of ketorolac and acetaminophen is a simple, safe and effective method for relieving postoperative pain, and demonstrates highly significant fentanyl sparing effects in small children after outpatient inguinal hernia repair.

Fentanyl-sparing effect of acetaminophen as a mixture of fentanyl in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled analgesia after pediatric ureteroneocystostomy.

BACKGROUND: Although acetaminophen has been used widely and is well tolerated in children, its efficacy and safety have not been clarified when combined with an opioid in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled postoperative analgesia. METHODS: Sixty-three children (aged 6-24 months) who had undergone elective ureteroneocystostomies were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. After the surgery, an analgesic pump was programmed to deliver fentanyl at a basal infusion rate of 0.25 microg.kg(-1).h(-1) and 0.25 microg/kg bolus after a loading dose of 0.5 microg/kg(-1). In the fentanyl-acetaminophen group, acetaminophen was coadministered as a solution mixture at a basal infusion rate of 1.5 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) and 1.5 mg/kg bolus after a loading dose of 15 mg/kg, whereas saline was administered to the fentanyl group. RESULTS: Postoperative pain scores were similar between the two groups. The total dose (micrograms per kilogram per day, mean+/-SD) of fentanyl at postoperative days 1 (8.3+/-3.7 vs. 18.1+/-4.6, P=0.021) and 2 (7.0+/-2.4 vs. 16.6, P=0.042) was significantly less in the fentanyl-acetaminophen group compared with that in the fentanyl group. The incidences of vomiting (16.1 vs. 56.3%, P=0.011) and sedation (9.7 vs. 46.9%, P=0.019) were significantly lower in the fentanyl-acetaminophen group than those in the fentanyl group. CONCLUSIONS: Acetaminophen has significant fentanyl-sparing effects and reduces side effects when combined with fentanyl in intravenous parent-/nurse-controlled analgesia for postoperative pediatric pain management.

Paracetamol reduces postoperative pain and rescue analgesic demand after robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy by the transaxillary approach.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain following endoscopic thyroidectomy, although less severe than after open methods, is still a source of marked discomfort and surgical stress. This clinical trial was conducted to determine if repeated intravenous paracetamol could decrease postoperative pain and rescue analgesic requirements after robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy via the transaxillary approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled study enrolled 124 women 21-60 years of age who were scheduled for elective gasless robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy via the transaxillary approach. The patients were given placebo or 1 g of paracetamol as a 100 ml solution infused over 15 min 1 h before the induction of anesthesia, and then at 6-h intervals for the following 24 h. RESULTS: Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after surgery in the paracetamol group than in the placebo group. Significantly fewer patients in the paracetamol group received rescue analgesics compared to the placebo group (9.5% vs. 65.6%, respectively). First analgesic time was similar in the two groups. Postoperative nausea (44.3% vs. 22.2%) and vomiting (21.3% vs. 6.3%) were more frequent in the placebo group than in the paracetamol group. Other postoperative side effects, including sedation, confusion, and pruritus, were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that repeated administration of 1 g of intravenous paracetamol over 24 h is easy, effective, safe, and well tolerated for pain management in patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain after gasless robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy performed via the transaxillary approach.

Treatment of generalized hyperhidrosis with oxybutynin in post-menopausal patients.

Postmenopausal hyperhidrosis is a form of secondary hyperhidrosis, and hormone-replacement therapy is a commonly used therapeutic option. However, some women do not benefit from this treatment, and oral anticholinergics are a logical alternative for reducing generalized sweating in these patients. Twenty-one patients were medicated with 5 or 10 mg of oxybutynin per day. After a 3-month follow-up period, efficacy was assessed with the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to assess the improvement in patients' quality of life. The HDSS score was 3.2 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- SD) before medication and 1.9 +/- 0.4 after 3 months. The baseline DLQI score of 8.4 +/- 1.0 was reduced to 4.4 +/- 0.9. No serious side-effects or adverse events resulted from treatment. Oxybutynin was a well-tolerated, effective, and safe method for treating postmenopausal sweating. However, long-term medication and the limited effects of the treatment were disadvantages.

Ultrasound evaluation of the sacral area and comparison of sacral interspinous and hiatal approach for caudal block in children.

BACKGROUND: Although caudal block via the sacral hiatus is a common regional technique in children, it is sometimes difficult to identify the hiatus. A needle approach via the S2-3 interspace can be used as an alternative to the conventional approach. The authors compared the feasibility and clinical characteristics between the S2-3 approach and hiatal approach, in addition to ultrasound study. METHODS: Sacral space depth, dural sac end level, and caudal space depth were evaluated using ultrasound with high-frequency linear probe in the lateral decubitus position in 317 anesthetized children (study 1). In another 162 children who underwent ambulatory urological surgeries, success rate, drug spread, and clinical characteristics were compared between the hiatal and S2-3 approaches (study 2). RESULTS: The dural sac end level was S2U (S3M-L5M). The median depth of the sacral space at the S2-3 level was 7.3 mm, whereas the caudal space depth at the hiatus was 2.9 mm. The overall success rate was 96.3% in both groups. The success rates at the first puncture attempt were 96.2% in the S2-3 group and 77.5% in the hiatus group. Drug spread level and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The S2-3 approach can be applied as a useful fallback method to the conventional landmark approach in children, especially in those older than 36 months who present with difficult identification of the sacral hiatus.

Botulinum toxin: a treatment for compensatory hyperhidrosis in the trunk.

BACKGROUND: Severe compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) in the trunk occurs after sympathectomy in some patients. Limited treatment options for these cases have been proposed, and the overall results have been disappointing, but injection of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) is an emerging, reliable treatment method for focal hyperhidrosis. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of BTX-A injection for severe truncal sweating in CH patients who were refractory to conventional treatment. METHODS: Seventeen patients were injected with 100 to 500 U of BTX-A in the truncal area. After the follow-up period, the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) for efficacy and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were measured for improvement in patients' quality of life. RESULTS: The baseline mean HDSS score+/-standard deviation was 3.6+/-0.5, and the sweating resolved within 5 days. The effect was sustained for 2 to 8 months (4.1+/-1.5 months) and the baseline DLQI score of 9.4+/-2.0 fell to 2.8+/-1.0. No serious side effects or adverse events resulted from the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A injection was a well-tolerated, effective, and safe method for treating severe truncal CH, although the considerable cost and limited duration of the treatment effects were major disadvantages.

Chemical lumbar sympathetic block in the treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis: a study of 69 patients.

BACKGROUND: Plantar hyperhidrosis is a distressing problem that can affect a patient's quality of life. Although various conservative modalities have been suggested, severe plantar hyperhidrosis is often not sufficiently treated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the effectiveness of a chemical lumbar sympathetic block (CLSB) with alcohol in patients with severe plantar hyperhidrosis. METHOD: Sixty-nine patients were treated by a neurolytic lumbar block. A single-needle or two-needle technique was used with patients in the prone position. RESULTS: Of 138 procedures, the number of successful blocks was 68 (49.3%) for L3 to L4 and 28 (20.3%) for L4 to L5. The degree of anhydrosis was excellent in 6 patients (8.7%), good in 32 patients (46.4%), fair in 32 patients (34.8%), and poor in 7 patients (10.1%). Of 69 patients, 56 (81.1%) were partially or fully satisfied. Noted complications included temporary sexual dysfunction in 1 patient, compensatory hyperhidrosis in 1 patient, and transient genitofemoral neuritis in 3 patients. Although 62 patients (89.9%) recurred at 6 to 18 months, 3 patients (4.3%) remained stable until 18 to 24 months. CONCLUSION: The careful use of CLSB on an outpatient basis can be a safe, minimally invasive, and effective treatment for severe plantar hyperhidrosis.

Ultrasound-guided lumbar medial-branch block: a clinical study with fluoroscopy control.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For diagnostic lumbar medial-branch blocks, fluoroscopic guidance is considered mandatory, but this technique comes with radiation exposure. The clinical feasibility of the ultrasound-guided lumbar medial-branch block has been demonstrated. We evaluated the success rate and validity of this new method by use of fluoroscopy controls in patients previously diagnosed with lumbar facet joint-mediated pain. METHODS: In 20 patients, 101 lumbar medial-branch blocks were performed under ultrasound guidance. The target point was the groove at the cephalad margin of the transverse process adjacent to the superior articular process. C-arm fluoroscopy was performed afterward to confirm the needle position. Pain scores were assessed by use of visual analog scale (VAS 0 to 100). RESULTS: All 101 needles were placed in the correct lumbar segment. Ninety-six of the 101 needletips were in the correct position with a success rate of 95%. Two needles were associated with intravascular spread of the contrast dye. VAS score was reduced from 52 to 16 after the block. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided lumbar medial-branch blocks can be performed with a high success rate. However, to be completely independent from fluoroscopy controls, this technique requires further studies regarding the detection of intravascular spread.

Prevalence and impact of incompetence of internal jugular valve on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Internal jugular vein (IJV) is the main pathway of cerebral venous drainage and its valves prevent regurgitation of blood to the brain. IJV valve incompetence (IJVVI) is known to be associated with cerebral dysfunctions. It occurs more often in male over 50 years old, conditions elevating intra-abdominal or intra-thoracic pressure. In robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP), elderly male undergoes surgery in Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum applied. Therefore, we assessed the IJVVI during RALRP and its influence on postoperative cognitive function. 57 patients undergoing RALRP were enrolled. Neurocognitive tests including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Color Word Stroop Test, digit span test, and grooved pegboard test were performed the day before and 2 days after surgery. During surgery, IJVVI was assessed with ultrasonography in supine position with and without pneumoperitoneum, and Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum. 50 patients underwent sonographic assessment and 41 patients completed neurocognitive examination. A total of 27 patients presented IJVVI, 19 patients in supine position without pneumoperitoneum, 7 patients in supine position with pneumoperitoneum and 1 patient in Trendelenburg position with pneumoperitoneum. In neurocognitive tests, patients with IJVVI showed statistically significant decline of score in MMSE postoperatively (p<0.05). IJVVI occurred in 38% in supine position but the incidence was increased to 54% after Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. Patients with IJVVI did not show significant differences in cognitive function tests except MMSE. Clinical and neurological significance of physiologic changes associated RALRP should be studied further.

Treatment of compensatory gustatory hyperhidrosis with topical glycopyrrolate.

Gustatory hyperhidrosis is facial sweating usually associated with the eating of hot spicy food or even smelling this food. Current options of treatment include oral anticholinergic drugs, the topical application of anticholinergics or aluminum chloride, and the injection of botulinum toxin. Thirteen patients have been treated to date with 1.5% or 2% topical glycopyrrolate. All patients had gustatory hyperhidrosis, which interfered with their social activities, after transthroacic endoscopic sympathectomy, and which was associated with compensatory focal hyperhidrosis. After applying topical glycopyrrolate, the subjective effect was excellent (no sweating after eating hot spicy food) in 10 patients (77%), and fair (clearly reduced sweating) in 3 patients (23%). All had reported incidents of being very embarrassed whilst eating hot spicy foods. Adverse effects included a mildly dry mouth and a sore throat in 2 patients (2% glycopyrrolate), a light headache in 1 patient (1.5% glycopyrrolate). The topical application of a glycopyrrolate pad appeared to be safe, efficacious, well tolerated, and a convenient method of treatment for moderate to severe symptoms of gustatory hyperhidrosis in post transthoracic endoscopic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy patients, with few side effects.

Monitoring of PETCO2 during high frequency jet ventilation for laryngomicrosurgery.

In general, PETCO2 is well correlated with PaCO2 during spontaneous and conventional mechanical ventilation in normal lungs. However, it is known that during high frequency jet ventilation, PETCO2 may underestimate PaCO2 because of inadequate washout of the anatomical dead space by a small tidal volume and the relatively slow response time of infrared CO2 analyzers. The validity of PETCO2 as a reflection of PaCO2 was assessed during HFJV in 40 patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery. HFJV was applied through an injector inserted into the trachea 6 cm below the vocal cord. PETCO2 was obtained from a sampling line placed 2 cm below the injector. Both PETCO2 and PaCO2 were measured simultaneously after decreasing the frequency from 100 beats per minute to 15 beats per minute 10 and 20 minutes after the commencement of HFJV. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.955, P < 0.001) and a good correspondence between the mean PETCO2 and PaCO2 values with an average difference of 1.93 +/- 1.21 mmHg and a limit of agreement from -0.49 to 4.35 mmHg. It is suggested that the PETCO2 obtained following a decrease in the jet frequency during HFJV could closely reflect PaCO2.

Learning by computer simulation does not lead to better test performance than textbook study in the diagnosis and treatment of dysrhythmias.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare computer-based learning with traditional learning methods in studying advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University hospital. MEASUREMENTS: Senior medical students were randomized to perform computer simulation and textbook study. Each group studied ACLS for 150 minutes. Tests were performed 1 week before, immediately after, and 1 week after the study period. Testing consisted of 20 questions. All questions were formulated in such a way that there was a single best answer. Each student also completed a questionnaire designed to assess computer skills, as well as satisfaction with and benefit from the study materials. MAIN RESULTS: Test scores improved after both textbook study and computer simulation study in both groups, although the improvement in scores was significantly higher for the textbook group only immediately after the study. There was no significant difference between groups in their computer skill and satisfaction with the study materials. The textbook group reported greater benefit from study materials than did the computer simulation group. CONCLUSIONS: Studying ACLS with a hard-copy textbook may be more effective than computer simulation for acquiring simple information during a brief period. However, the difference in effectiveness is likely transient.

Ultrasound visibility of spinal structures and local anesthetic spread in children undergoing caudal block.

This study assessed ultrasound visibility of spinal structures in children and observed the extent of local anesthetic spread within the epidural space during caudal block. Spinal structures were evaluated with ultrasound from the sacral area to the thoracic area in 80 children, and drug spread levels were observed after caudal injection of 0.5, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.5 mL/kg local anesthetic. The conus medullaris, dural sac and dura mater were easily identified with ultrasound in most children. However, ligamentum flavum visibility declined with increasing vertebral level and markedly decreased at the thoracic level in children older than 7 mo or heavier than 8.5 kg. Drug spread was higher with increasing volume (p < 0.001) and in children ≤12 mo more than children >12 mo (p < 0.001); drug spread was significantly correlated with age (R(2) = 0.534). Spread levels assessed with ultrasound were roughly two to three segments lower than those in previous radiologic studies.

Palonosetron has superior prophylactic antiemetic efficacy compared with ondansetron or ramosetron in high-risk patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be a major problem, because PONV is associated with delayed recovery and prolonged hospital stay. Although the PONV guidelines recommended the use of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonists as the first-line prophylactic agents in patients categorized as high-risk, there are few studies comparing the efficacies of ondansetron, ramosetron, and palonosetron. The aim of present study was to compare the prophylactic antiemetic efficacies of three 5HT3 receptor antagonists in high-risk patients after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial, 109 female nonsmokers scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery were randomized to receive intravenous 4 mg ondansetron (n = 35), 0.3 mg ramosetron (n = 38), or 75 µg palonosetron (n = 36) before anesthesia. Fentanyl-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia was administered for 48 h after surgery. Primary antiemetic efficacy variables were the incidence and severity of nausea, the frequency of emetic episodes during the first 48 h after surgery, and the need to use a rescue antiemetic medication. RESULTS: The overall incidence of nausea/retching/vomiting was lower in the palonosetron (22.2%/11.1%/5.6%) than in the ondansetron (77.1%/48.6%/28.6%) and ramosetron (60.5%/28.9%/18.4%) groups. The rescue antiemetic therapy was required less frequently in the palonosetron group than the other groups (P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the order of prophylactic efficacy in delaying the interval to use of a rescue emetic was palonosetron, ramosetron, and ondansetron. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose palonosetron is the prophylactic antiemetics of choice in high-risk patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.