Linear indices of ventricular volume on brain computed tomography as markers of effectiveness of epidural blood patch for spontaneous intracranial hypotension: A case report.

RATIONALE: Epidural blood patch (EBP) is an effective treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). However, its effectiveness can only be judged through subjective symptom improvement; no objective markers have been reported. Linear indices of ventricular volume on brain computed tomography (CT) may aid the objective evaluation of the effectiveness of EBP in patients with SIH. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 45-year-old man was hospitalized due to a 3-week history of orthostatic headache, dizziness, and neck pain. He had visited a local emergency department at symptom onset. His neurological examination results were normal and vital signs were stable. DIAGNOSES: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pachymeningeal enhancement in both convexities with a small subdural hematoma (SDH). Based on the clinical features and MRI findings, he was diagnosed with SIH complicated by SDH. INTERVENTIONS: Non-targeted EBP was performed, first at the lumbar level and subsequently at the thoracic level. Linear indices of ventricular volume, including the Evans' index, frontal-occipital horn ratio, and bicaudate index, were measured through brain CT performed before and after EBP. OUTCOMES: After lumbar EBP, there was no symptom relief or increase in linear indices of ventricular volume on brain CT. In contrast, the patient's symptoms completely resolved and the linear indices of ventricular volume increased after thoracic EBP. LESSONS: The effectiveness of EBP, which is currently evaluated solely based on changes in symptom severity, can be assessed using linear indices of ventricular volume.

Impact of regional anesthesia on outcomes of geriatric patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

Lower extremity revascularization (LER) for peripheral artery disease in elderly patients is associated with a high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to a conduct retrospective review and propensity score matching analysis to determine whether the use of regional anesthesia (RA) instead of general anesthesia (GA) in geriatric patients undergoing LER for peripheral artery disease results in improved short-term mortality and health outcomes. We reviewed medical records of 1271 patients aged >65 years who underwent LER at our center between May 1998 and February 2016. According to the anesthesia method, patients were grouped in the GA and RA groups. The primary outcome was short-term mortality (7-day and 30-day). The secondary outcomes were 5-year survival rate, intraoperative events, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative length of stay. A propensity score-matched cohort design was used to control for potentially confounding factors including patient demographics, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, and preoperative medications. After propensity score matching, 722 patients that received LER under GA (n = 269) or RA (n = 453) were identified. Patients from the GA group showed significantly higher 7-day mortality than those from the RA group (5.6% vs 2.7% P = .048); however, there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the groups (GA vs RA: 6.3% vs 3.6%, P = .083). The 5-year survival rate and incidence of arterial and central venous catheter placement or intraoperative dopamine and epinephrine use were significantly higher in the GA group than in the RA group (P < .05). In addition, the frequency of immediate postoperative oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation support was higher in the GA group (P < .05). However, there was no difference in the postoperative cardiopulmonary and cerebral complications between the 2 groups. These results suggest that RA can reduce intraoperative hemodynamic support and provide immediate postoperative respiratory intensive care. In addition, the use of RA may be associated with better short-term and 5-year survival rates in geriatric patients undergoing LER.

Local anesthetic volume in ultrasound-guided interscalene block and opioid consumption during shoulder arthroscopic surgery: A retrospective comparative study.

ABSTRACT: Interscalene block (ISB) is commonly performed for regional anesthesia in shoulder surgery. Ultrasound-guided ISB enables visualization of the local anesthetic spread and a reduction in local anesthetic volume. However, little is known about the appropriate local anesthetic dose for surgical anesthesia without sedation or general anesthesia. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the appropriate local anesthetic volume by comparing intraoperative analgesics and hemodynamic changes in ISB in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.Overall, 1007 patients were divided into groups 1, 2, and 3 according to the following volume of local anesthetics: 10-19, 20-29, and 30-40 mL, respectively. The use of intraoperative analgesics and sedatives, and the reduction in intraoperative maximum blood pressure and heart rate were compared through retrospective analysis.Fentanyl was used in 55.6% of patients in group 1, which was significantly higher than in those groups 2 and 3 (22.3% and 30.7%, respectively); furthermore, it was also higher than those in groups 2 and 3 in dose-specific comparisons (P < .05). The percent of the maximum reduction in intraoperative systolic blood pressure and heart rate in group 3 was significantly higher than those in groups 1 and 2. Ephedrine administration was lower in group 2 than that in other groups (P < .05). The incidence of hypotensive bradycardic events was lowest (9.1%) at the local anesthetic volume of 24 mL as revealed by the quadratic regression analysis (R2 = 0.313, P = .003).Decreasing the local anesthetic volume to less than 20 mL for ultrasound-guided ISB as the sole anesthesia increases the opioid consumption during shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Local anesthetics >30 mL or increased opioid consumption with <20 mL of local anesthetics could increase the risk of cardiovascular instability intraoperatively. Our findings indicate that 24 mL of local anesthetic could be used to lower the incidence of hypotensive bradycardic events.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided and nerve stimulator-guided interscalene blocks as a sole anesthesia in shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A retrospective study.

Ultrasound-guided interscalene block (US-ISB) and nerve stimulator-guided interscalene block (NS-ISB) have both been commonly used for anesthesia in shoulder arthroscopic surgery.This study aims to compare which method provides surgical block as a sole anesthesia. In this retrospective study, 1158 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff tear repair surgery under ISB between October 2002 and March 2018 were classified into either the US-ISB or NS-ISB anesthesia groups. Demographic and anesthetic characteristics and intraoperative medications were analyzed after propensity score matching and compared between the 2 groups.There was a 0.5% rate of conversion to general anesthesia in the US-ISB group and a 6.7% rate in the NS-ISB group (P < .001). The volume of local anesthetics used for ISB was 29.7 ±â€Š8.9 mL in the US-ISB group versus 38.1 ±â€Š4.8 mL in the NS-ISB group (P < .001). The intraoperative use of analgesics and sedatives such as fentanyl, midazolam and propofol in combination was significantly lowered in the US-ISB group (P < .001).US-ISB is a more effective and safer approach for providing intense block to NS-ISB because it can decrease the incidence of conversion to general anesthesia and reduce the use of analgesics and sedatives during arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Retrospective analysis of risk factors of hypotensive bradycardic events during shoulder arthroscopic surgery under interscalene blockade in the sitting position.

BACKGROUND: Hypotensive bradycardic events (HBEs) are a frequent adverse event in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery under interscalene block (ISB) in the sitting position. This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the independent risk factors of HBEs in shoulder arthroscopic surgery under ISB in the sitting position. METHODS: A total of 2,549 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery under ISB and had complete clinical data were included in the study. The 357 patients who developed HBEs were included in the HBEs group, and the remaining 2,192 in the non-HBEs group. The potential risk factors for HBEs, such as age, sex, past medical history, anesthetic characteristics, and intraoperative medications were collected and compared between the groups. Statistically significant variables were included in a logistic regression model to further evaluate the independent risk factors for HBEs in shoulder arthroscopic surgery under ISB. RESULTS: The incidence of HBEs was 14.0% (357/2549). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the intraoperative use of hydralazine (odds ratio [OR] 4.2, 95% CI 2.9-6.3), propofol (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.6), and dexmedetomidine (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.9-7.8) before HBEs were independent risk factors for HBEs in patients who received shoulder arthroscopic surgery under ISB. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative use of antihypertensives such as hydralazine and sedatives such as propofol or dexmedetomidine leads to increased risk of HBEs during shoulder arthroscopic surgery under ISB in the sitting position.

Comparing the placement of a left-sided double-lumen tube via fiberoptic bronchoscopy guidance versus conventional intubation using a Macintosh laryngoscope, to reduce the incidence of malpositioning: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: A fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is commonly used to identify the proper placement of a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) for good lung isolation during thoracic surgery. We hypothesized that the FOB-guided method for DLT placement composed of tracheal intubation under initial guidance by a FOB via the bronchial lumen and subsequent selective left-bronchial intubation could be used to reduce the incidence of DLT malposition and reduce the time required for completion of DLT placement and confirmation of proper DLT position during intubation using a left-sided DLT, in comparison to the conventional method under direct laryngoscopy using a Macintosh laryngoscope. METHODS/DESIGN: In this randomized controlled pilot trial, 50 patients, aged 18-70 years, scheduled for elective thoracic surgery will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups according to the method of DLT placement: a FOB-guided method (F) group and a conventional method (C) group. Regardless of the group, the DLT placement processes will be followed by subsequent confirmation processes, using a FOB. If the DLT is misplaced, the position would be corrected. The primary outcome is the incidence of DLT malpositioning observed via a FOB during confirmation after DLT placement. The secondary outcomes consist of the time required to achieve the entire DLT intubation process, which is the sum of the duration of DLT placement and the duration of confirmation of the proper position, the incidence of failed tracheal intubation on the first and second attempt, and complications associated with the intubation process. DISCUSSION: This pilot study was designed as the first randomized controlled trial to confirm our hypothesis. This should provide information for a further full-scale trial, and the outcomes of the study should provide clinical evidence on the usefulness of the FOB-guided method for DLT placement, in comparison to the conventional method. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service; CRIS, ID: KCT0002663 . Retrospectively registered on 24 January 2018.

Changes in heart rate variability after sitting following interscalene block.

PURPOSE: Hypotensive bradycardic events (HBEs) occur in 5-28% of patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the sitting position after an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the sitting position following ISBPB on heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, we evaluated 64 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under ISBPB and 49 nonsurgical control subjects. HRV power spectral analysis parameters were measured (and natural log-transformed) before ISBPB and after changing to the sitting position. The patients experiencing HBEs were assigned to the HBE group, and the remaining patients were assigned to the non-HBE group. RESULTS: HBEs developed in 18 patients (28.1%). Changing from the supine position to the sitting position after ISBPB did not induce a significant increase in the natural log-transformed ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency power (lnLF/HF). A significant decrease in natural log-transformed high-frequency power (lnHF) was observed compared to the control group, who presented a significant increase in lnLF/HF and an insignificant change in lnHF. lnHF was found to be significantly higher in the HBE group compared to the non-HBE group. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained vagal activity with a failed shift in the sympathovagal balance toward sympathetic predominance in response to sitting after ISBPB is associated with the development of HBE.

Acupuncture in patients with a vertebral compression fracture: a protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. METHODS: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVision(TM) system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

Analysis of anesthesia-related medical disputes in the 2009-2014 period using the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists database.

Using the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists database of anesthesia-related medical disputes (July 2009-June 2014), causative mechanisms and injury patterns were analyzed. In total, 105 cases were analyzed. Most patients were aged < 60 yr (82.9%) and were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status ≤ II (90.5%). In 42.9% of all cases, the injuries were determined to be 'avoidable' if the appropriate standard of care had been applied. Sedation was the sec most common type of anesthesia (37.1% of all cases), following by general anesthesia. Most sedation cases (27/39, 69.2%) showed a common lack of vigilance: no pre-procedural testing (82.1%), absence of anesthesia record (89.7%), and non-use of intra-procedural monitoring (15.4%). Most sedation (92.3%) was provided simultaneously by the non-anesthesiologists who performed the procedures. After the resulting injuries were grouped into four categories (temporary, permanent/minor, permanent/major, and death), their causative mechanisms were analyzed in cases with permanent injuries (n=20) and death (n=82). A 'respiratory events' was the leading causative mechanism (56/102, 54.9%). Of these, the most common specific mechanism was hypoxia secondary to airway obstruction or respiratory depression (n=31). The sec most common damaging event was a 'cardiovascular events' (26/102, 25.5%), in which myocardial infarction was the most common specific mechanism (n=12). Our database analysis demonstrated several typical injury profiles (a lack of vigilance in seemingly safe procedures or sedation, non-compliance with the airway management guidelines, and the prevalence of myocardial infarction) and can be helpful to improve patient safety.

Acupuncture for low back pain due to spondylolisthesis: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Spondylolisthesis is the major cause of refractory low back pain. There are many studies of the surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis, but few of conservative treatments. There is also no optimal conservative treatment protocol, however, low back pain caused by low-grade spondylolisthesis is controlled with non-surgical pain management. Acupuncture has become a useful method for treating low back pain, but there has not been any study of its efficacy in relation to spondylolisthesis. This study was designed to establish the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial and the safety of acupuncture for low back pain due to low-grade spondylolisthesis. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial of five weeks duration. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: an acupuncture plus interlaminar epidural steroid injection group (experimental group), and an interlaminar epidural steroid injection group (control group). All patients will be administered an interlaminar epidural steroid injection once a week for three weeks (three injections in total), but only the experimental group will receive additional treatment with three acupuncture sessions a week for three weeks (nine acupuncture sessions in total). The primary outcome will be measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Our primary end point is three-week VAS. The secondary outcome will be measured using the PainVision system, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Oswestry Disability Index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three and five weeks thereafter (that is, the five-week assessment will be made two weeks after treatment cessation). DISCUSSION: This randomized controlled pilot trial will inform the design of a further full-scale trial. The outcomes will provide some resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing pain management methods such as interlaminar epidural steroid injection in low-grade spondylolisthesis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with the US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials registry: NCT01909284.

Role of calcium channels responsible for phenylephrine-induced contraction in rat aorta 3 days after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Phenylephrine (PE) produces tonic contraction through involvement of various calcium channels such as store-operated calcium channels (SOCCs) and voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs). However, the relative contribution of each calcium channel to PE-induced contraction has not been investigated in isolated rat aorta of early acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings from rats 3 days after AMI or sham-operated (SHAM) rats were prepared in an organ chamber with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution for isometric tension recording. We assessed the PE dose-response relationships in 2.5 mM calcium medium for both groups. The same procedure was repeated using rings pretreated with the SOCC inhibitor 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, sarco/endoplasmic-reticulum calcium ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (TG), diacyl glycerol lipase inhibitor RHC80267, and sodium-calcium exchanger inhibitor 3,4-dichlorobenzamil hydrochloride for 30 minutes before addition of calcium. When ongoing tonic contraction was sustained, dose-response curves to the VOCC inhibitor nifedipine were obtained to assess the relative contribution of each calcium channel under various conditions. RESULTS: The effect of SOCC induction with TG pretreatment on PE-induced contraction was significantly lower in the AMI group compared to the SHAM group. In addition, there were significant decreases in the sensitivity and efficacy of the VOCC inhibitor nifedipine on PE-induced contraction in the AMI group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the change of vascular reactivity of PE in rat aorta 3 days after AMI is characterized by a decreased contribution of L-type VOCCs. The enhanced VOCC-independent calcium entry mechanisms after AMI can be mediated by enhanced capacitative calcium entry through the activation of SOCCs.

Moderate and deep hypothermia produces hyporesposiveness to phenylephrine in isolated rat aorta.

BACKGROUND: Moderate and severe hypothermia with cardiopulmonary bypass during aortic surgery can cause some complications such as endothelial cell dysfunction or coagulation disorders. This study found out the difference of vascular reactivity by phenylephrine in moderate and severe hypothermia. METHODS: Preserved aortic endothelium by excised rat thoracic aorta was sectioned, and then down the temperature rapidly to 25℃ by 15 minutes at 38℃ and then the vascular tension was measured. The vascular tension was also measured in rewarming at 25℃ for temperatures up to 38℃. To investigate the mechanism of the changes in vascular tension on hypothermia, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME) and indomethacin administered 30 minutes before the phenylephrine administration. And to find out the hypothermic effect can persist after rewarming, endothelium intact vessel and endothelium denuded vessel exposed to hypothermia. The bradykinin dose-response curve was obtained for ascertainment whether endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor involves decreasing the phenylnephrine vascular reactivity on hypothermia. RESULTS: Fifteen minutes of the moderate hypothermia blocked the maximum contractile response of phenylephrine about 95%. The vasorelaxation induced by hypothermia was significantly reduced with L-NAME and indomethacin administration together. There was a significant decreasing in phenylephrine susceptibility and maximum contractility after 2 hours rewarming from moderate and severe hypothermia in the endothelium intact vessel compared with contrast group. CONCLUSION: The vasoplegic syndrome after cardiac surgery might be caused by hypothermia when considering the vascular reactivity to phenylephrine was decreased in the endothelium-dependent mechanism.

A comparison of femoral/sciatic nerve block with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block and combined spinal epidural anesthesia for total knee replacement arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Several factors, such as compromised cardiopulmonary function, anticoagulative therapy, or anatomical deformity in the elderly, prevent general anesthesia and neuraxial blockade from being conducted for total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKRA). We investigated the efficacy of femoral/sciatic nerve block with lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block (FSNB) as an alternative procedure in comparison with combined spinal epidural nerve block (CSE) in patients undergoing TKRA. METHODS: In this observational study, 80 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III patients scheduled for elective unilateral TKRA underwent CSE (n = 40) or FSNB (n = 40). Perioperative side effects, intraoperative medications, duration and remaining amount of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, rate of satisfaction with the surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, willingness to recommend the same surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia to others, and postoperative visual analog scale pain scores were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, Student's t-test, and repeated-measures analysis of variances. RESULTS: There was significantly more use of antihypertensives, analgesics, and sedatives in the FSNB group. There were no significant differences of perioperative side effects, duration and remaining amount of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, rate of satisfaction with the surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, willingness to recommend the same surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia to others, and postoperative visual analog scale scores between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: FSNB with a sophisticated use of antihypertensives, analgesics, and sedatives to supplement insufficient block offers a practical alternative to CSE for TKRAs.

Hypotensive bradycardic events during shoulder arthroscopic surgery under interscalene brachial plexus blocks.

Sudden, profound hypotensive and bradycardic events (HBEs) have been reported in more than 20% of patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy in the sitting position. Although HBEs may be associated with the adverse effects of interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) in the sitting position, the underlying mechanisms responsible for HBEs during the course of shoulder surgery are not well understood. The basic mechanisms of HBEs may be associated with the underlying mechanisms responsible for vasovagal syncope, carotid sinus hypersensitivity or orthostatic syncope. In this review, we discussed the possible mechanisms of HBEs during shoulder arthroscopic surgery, in the sitting position, under ISBPB. In particular, we focused on the relationship between HBEs and various types of syncopal reactions, the relationship between HBEs and the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, and the new contributing factors for the occurrence of HBEs, such as stellate ganglion block or the intraoperative administration of intravenous fentanyl.

Moderate hypothermia attenuates α(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction in isolated rat aorta: the role of the endothelium.

Moderate hypothermia (25-31 °C) may have a significant influence on vascular tone. We investigated the cellular mechanisms by which moderate hypothermia alters α-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction in rat thoracic aortae. Cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin; nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition by L-NAME; potassium channel and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) inhibition by glibenclamide and TEA; G protein inhibition by pertussis toxin; α2-adrenergic inhibition by yohimbine; and ß-adrenergic inhibition by propranolol were assessed for their effect on the contractile response to the α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (Phe) in combination with moderate hypothermia (25 °C). Moderate hypothermia produced a shift to the right for the Phe concentration-response curves in endothelium-intact (E+) and endothelium-denuded (E-) aortic rings. The maximal response to Phe in E+ rings was significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 25 °C compared to 38 °C, whereas there was no significant difference in E- rings. Hypothermia-induced vasorelaxation in E+ rings was attenuated (P<0.05) following combined pretreatment with L-NAME (10⁻4 M) and indomethacin (10⁻5 M), whereas other inhibitors had no significant effect. Importantly, the addition of TEA to rings that were pretreated with L-NAME and indomethacin exhibited no further attenuation (P>0.05) of hypothermia-induced vasorelaxation. The concentrations of cGMP and cAMP, as measured by radioimmunoassay, were significantly increased (P<0.05) in E+ rings at 25 °C compared to those at 38 °C, whereas there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in E- rings. The present study demonstrated that rat aortic endothelium is stimulated during moderate hypothermia and that the NO-cGMP and prostacyclin (PGI2)-cAMP pathways represent endothelium-dependent mechanisms of hypothermia-induced vasorelaxation. In contrast, EDHF may not be associated with hypothermia-induced vasorelaxation.

Intravenous fentanyl during shoulder arthroscopic surgery in the sitting position after interscalene block increases the incidence of episodes of bradycardia hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Episodes of bradycardia hypotension (BH) or vasovagal syncope have a reported incidence of 13-29% during arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the sitting position after an interscalene block (ISB). This study was designed to investigate whether intravenous fentanyl during shoulder arthroscopy in the sitting position after ISB would increase or worsen the incidence of BH episodes. METHODS: In this prospective study, 20 minutes after being in a sitting position, 160 patients who underwent ISB were randomized to receive saline (S, n = 40), 50 µg of fentanyl (F-50, n = 40), 100 µg of fentanyl (F-100, n = 40) or 30 mg of ketorolac (K-30, n = 40) randomly. We assessed the incidence of BH episodes during the operation and the degree of maximal reduction (Rmax) of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). RESULTS: The incidence of BH episodes was 10%, 15%, 27.5% and 5% in the S, F-50, F-100 and K-30 groups, respectively. Mean Rmax of systolic BP in the F-100 group was significantly decreased as compared to the S group (-20.0 ± 4.5 versus -6.3 ± 1.6%, P = 0.004). Similarly, mean Rmax of diastolic BP in the F-100 group was also significantly decreased (P = 0.008) as compared to the S group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fentanyl can increase the incidence of BH episodes during shoulder arthroscopic surgery in the sitting position after ISB.

Factors contributing to episodes of bradycardia hypotension during shoulder arthroscopic surgery in the sitting position after interscalene block.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic shoulder surgery has been performed in the sitting position under interscalene block (ISB). Bradycardia hypotension (BH) episodes have a reported incidence of 13-29% in this setting. We performed a retrospective study to investigate contributing factors to the occurrence of BH episodes. METHODS: According to BH episodes, we divided 63 patients into two groups: BH group (n = 13) and non-BH group (n = 50). Anesthetic records and block data sheets were reviewed for demographic data, intraoperative medications, sites of ISB, use of epinephrine in local anesthetics, degree of sensory blockade, and percent change of heart rate or systolic blood pressure (SBP). Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test and Student's t-test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the use of epinephrine in local anesthetics between the two groups. The location of ISB site was different between the two groups in that there were relatively more right-sided ISBs in the BH group than in the non-BH group (P = 0.048). The degree of sensory blockade was lower, but not significantly, in the C8 and T1 dermatomes of the BH group than in the non-BH group (P = 0.060 and 0.077, respectively). There was a relatively higher incidence of fentanyl supplementation in the BH group than in the non-BH group (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that right ISB and perioperative supplementation of fentanyl due to incomplete block are possible contributing factors to the occurrence of BH episodes in the sitting position during shoulder surgery using ISB.

Combined femoral and popliteal sciatic nerve blocks versus epidural anesthesia in great saphenous veins stripping surgery with multiple stab avulsion.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a combined femoral and politeal sciatic nerve blocks (FPSNB) would have excellent clinical properties and better patient satisfaction than epidural anesthesia for the great saphenous veins stripping (GSVS) surgery with multiple stab avulsion (MSA). METHODS: Sixty patients were allocated into two groups. The epidural group received epidural anesthesia with 15 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine (n = 30), and the FPSNB group received a combined FPSNB with 25 ml of 1.5% mepivacaine with a nerve stimulator (n = 30). We assessed the anesthetic and postoperative records. A questionnaire-based study including patient satisfaction for anesthetic techniques (100 point scale) was conducted 3 days postoperatively by a blinded observer. RESULTS: The time from initial injection to the start of surgery and the duration of sensory blockade were not different between groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of patients with anesthesia-related complications in epidural anesthesia was 33.3%, 46.6%, 23.3% and 20% for shivering, hypotension, bradycardia and postoperative voiding difficulty, respectively. FPSNB did not produce these complications. Additional analgesia with 50-100 microgram of fentanyl was more frequently used in FPSNB (60% vs 6.7%, FPSNB vs Epidural group, P < 0.01), but patient satisfaction of FPSNB was higher than epidural anesthesia (88.1 +/- 13.2 vs 76.5 +/- 15.8, FPSNB vs Epidural group, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A combined FPSNB with a small amount of narcotics is an adequate anesthetic technique for unilateral GSVS surgery with MSA.

The perioperative management of a patient with lowe syndrome for general anesthesia: A case report.

Lowe syndrome (the oculo-cerebro-renal syndrome of Lowe, OCRL) is a multi-system disorder that affects the eyes, nervous system, and kidney. OCRL is a rare X-linked recessive disease with a prevalence of approximately 1 : 500,000. The clinical features of OCRL include congenital cataracts, growth and mental retardation, areflexia, hypotonia, and renal tubular dysfunction (Fanconi-type). Chronic metabolic acidosis and hypotonia may be the most important component affecting management of the peri-anesthetic period during general anesthesia. However, problems such as electrolyte imbalance, seizure, fragility of the bone structures, and increased intraocular pressure should also be considered during the perioperative period. We report here the perioperative management of a patient with Lowe syndrome during the removal of multiple scalp cysts under general anesthesia.

Injury to the spinal cord by a thoracic epidural catheter used to control postpneumonectomy pain : A case report.

A thoracotomy is one of the most severe painful operations. This severe pain can usually be controlled by thoracic epidural analgesia. Epidural catheterization for analgesia has several complications, e.g., epidural hematoma, abscess, spinal stenosis, spinal infarction, direct cord trauma, and neurotoxicity by chemical contamination. These complications can cause acute paraplegia, but permanent paraplegia is extremely rare. We report a case of paresthesia and temporary paralysis in a 54-year-old patient who suffered spinal cord injury after thoracic epidural catheterization for the control of postpneumonectomy pain under general anaesthesia.