Cauda equina syndrome by extrusion of lumbar disc after lumbar sympathetic neurolysis.

A 56-year-old woman experienced persistent excruciating pain with peroneal nerve injury in the anterior aspect of the lower leg after knee surgery. In our pain clinic, we diagnosed the patient with complex regional pain syndrome and performed lumbar sympathetic neurolysis (LSN) with absolute alcohol at the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3). After the next follow-up, she complained of continuous dull low back pain, anal dysregulation, and fecal incontinence. We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other existing pathologies of back pain. On MRI, the nucleus pulposus was moderately extruded to the central zone with inferior sequestration at L2/3, and moderate central canal stenosis was observed at L2/3. She underwent partial laminectomy with discectomy at L2 level. We were not sure of the cause of disc herniation, but we strongly suspected that LSN at the L3 vertebral level was related to the pathology. Therefore, we discuss this unusual case.

A lateral paracarotid approach for ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block with a linear probe.

Recent reports suggest that ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) is safer and more accurate than classic SGB by the using the surface anatomical landmark. However, previous reports concern the classic paratracheal approach using a small specialized curved probe, which may not be appropriate in some patients. The authors have attempted several approaches, including paratracheal, trans-thyroidal, lateral paracarotid, and lateral approaches, to find a safe and suitable method for real-time ultrasound-guided SGB using a standard high-frequency linear probe. A total of 27 injections were performed on 27 patients with sensorineural hearing loss. The lateral paracarotid out-of-plane and lateral in-plane approaches were identified as the easiest and safest methods among the four tested. In this report, we describe a new lateral paracarotid approach for ultrasound-guided SGB. An ipsilateral paratracheal short-axis transverse scan was acquired at the C6 level with a linear probe (6-13 MHz). The probe was moved laterally, scanning the thyroid, carotid artery, internal jugular vein, longus colli muscle, and the transverse process of the C6, placing the carotid artery in the middle of the view. Light pressure was applied to the probe postero-medially to displace the carotid artery medially and completely compress the internal jugular vein. The needle was inserted out-of-plane between the lateral margin of the carotid artery and Chassaignac's tubercle, traversing the collapsed internal jugular vein, and targeted between the longus colli muscle and the prevertebral fascia. A total of 4 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine was injected for each procedure after a negative aspiration test. Successful blockade was confirmed with the onset of Horner's sign. All 27 injections resulted in successful blockade with Horner's sign presenting within 5 min after injection. Side effects were minor and caused minimal discomfort; they included hoarseness and a foreign body sensation. No hematomas formed after any injections. We suggest that this new lateral paracarotid approach, with out-of plane needle insertion at the C6 tubercle under transverse scan, is a convenient and safe method for performing real-time ultrasound-guided SGB, as it provides a wide, safe space for needle passage without risking thyroid or esophageal injury.

Video Distraction and Parental Presence for the Management of Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Behavioral Disturbance in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The anxiolytic efficacy of video watching, in the absence of parents, during the mask induction of anesthesia in young children with high separation anxiety has not been clearly established. We performed this study to determine whether the effect of video distraction on alleviating preoperative anxiety is independent of parental presence and whether a combination of both interventions is more effective than either single intervention in alleviating preoperative anxiety and postoperative behavioral disturbance in preschool children. METHODS: In this prospective trial, 117 children aged 2 to 7 years scheduled for elective minor surgery were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups, a video distraction group (group V), a parental presence group (group P), or a combination of video distraction plus parental presence group (group VP) during induction of sevoflurane anesthesia. The Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) was used to assess anxiety in the preoperative holding area (baseline), immediately after entry to the operating room, and during mask induction. Compliance during induction, emergence delirium during recovery, and negative behavioral changes at 1 day and 2 weeks postoperatively were also assessed. RESULTS: The mYPAS scores were comparable (P = 0.558), and the number of children exhibiting baseline anxiety (an mYPAS score > 30) were not different among the 3 groups in the preoperative holding area (P = 0.824). After intervention, the changes in mYPAS scores from baseline to induction were not different among the 3 groups (P = 0.049). The proportion of children with increased mYPAS scores was higher in group P compared with group V from baseline to operating room entry (Bonferroni-adjusted 95% confidence interval for difference, 2 to 49) but similar from baseline to induction in all 3 groups. Although children in group V were more cooperative during mask induction than those in the other 2 groups (P < 0.001 versus group P and P = 0.001 versus group VP), no significant intergroup differences were observed in the incidence of emergence delirium or new-onset negative behavioral change after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Video distraction, parental presence, or their combination showed similar effects on preoperative anxiety during inhaled induction of anesthesia and postoperative behavioral outcomes in preschool children having surgery.

The effective bolus dose of remifentanil to facilitate laryngeal mask airway insertion during inhalation induction of sevoflurane in children.

PURPOSE: The additional administration of remifentanil during inhalation induction with sevoflurane could provide better conditions for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion than sevoflurane alone. This study was designed to evaluate the 50 % effective bolus dose (ED50) and 95 % effective bolus dose (ED95) of remifentanil required for LMA insertion in children during inhalation induction with sevoflurane. METHODS: Pediatric patients aged 3-12 years requiring general anesthesia were recruited. A predetermined dose of remifentanil was injected over 30 s after the induction of general anesthesia with sevoflurane. LMA insertion was attempted 60 s after remifentanil injection. The dose of remifentanil was determined using the Dixon's up-and-down method, starting from 0.5 µg/kg (step size of 0.05 µg/kg). RESULTS: The study was conducted until seven cross-over points and 29 children were collected. The ED50 of remifentanil for successful LMA insertion during sevoflurane inhalation induction in children was 0.168 ± 0.035 µg/kg using Dixon's method. In addition, the ED50 and ED95 of remifentanil from the probit analysis were 0.176 µg/kg (95 % confidence limits, 0.102-0.216 µg/kg) and 0.268 µg/kg (95 % confidence limits, 0.223-0.659 µg/kg), respectively. CONCLUSION: The ED50 and ED95 of remifentanil for successful LMA insertion in children were estimated to be 0.176 (0.168) and 0.268 µg/kg during inhalation induction with 2.1 % sevoflurane.

The usefulness of stellate ganglion block with ultrasound-guided lateral paracarotid approach in ventricular arrhythmias: A case series.

Ventricular arrhythmias are life-threatening cardiac events. Sympathetic nervous system blockade represents a crucial therapeutic method for refractory ventricular arrhythmias. Ultrasound (US) imaging for stellate ganglion block (SGB) suggests potential for its application to safer and more accurate methods. We had thirteen patients diagnosed with refractory ventricular arrhythmia and referred to the pain clinic for SGB. We visited the intensive care unit (ICU) and performed SGB with the lateral paracarotid approach technique in the ICU. Using a new approach, we easily performed SGB and felt the convenience of the procedure in the ICU. In eleven cases, we also confirmed that the effect of the block with the new technique was satisfactory. SGB, with the new technique, revealed efficiency in the recovery process of the patients. We recommended the lateral paracarotid approach technique for SGB when a patient in an ICU showed ventricular arrhythmias and should be treated with SGB.

Updated guidelines for prescribing opioids to treat patients with chronic non-cancer pain in Korea: developed by committee on hospice and palliative care of the Korean Pain Society.

There are growing concerns regarding the safety of long-term treatment with opioids of patients with chronic non-cancer pain. In 2017, the Korean Pain Society (KPS) developed guidelines for opioid prescriptions for chronic non-cancer pain to guide physicians to prescribe opioids effectively and safely. Since then, investigations have provided updated data regarding opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and have focused on initial dosing schedules, reassessment follow-ups, recommended dosage thresholds considering the risk-benefit ratio, dose-reducing schedules for tapering and discontinuation, adverse effects, and inadvertent problems resulting from inappropriate application of the previous guidelines. Herein, we have updated the previous KPS guidelines based on a comprehensive literature review and consensus development following discussions among experts affiliated with the Committee on Hospice and Palliative Care in the KPS. These guidelines may assist physicians in prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in adult outpatient settings, but should not to be regarded as an inflexible standard. Clinical judgements by the attending physician and patient-centered decisions should always be prioritized.

Severe bradycardia and hypotension induced by autonomic neuropathy in a diabetic patient during general anesthesia - A case report.

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is characterized by dysregulation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems that causes cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. The number of diabetic patients undergoing surgery is increasing in line with the prevalence of DM. Anesthesiologists should pay attention to diabetic patients with CAN because it is related to serious cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We report an 80-year-old male who underwent cervical laminoplasty. He had severe bradycardia and hypotension from induction to the suspension of surgery. His blood pressure dropped to 70/40 mmHg and his heart rate to 20 bpm. Ephedrine, phenylephedrine, and atropine administration had minimal effect, but after epinephrine administrations, his heart rate and blood pressure increased to 70 bpm and 170/90 mmHg. The operation was discontinued because of the patient's unstable, fluctuating vital signs. The results of autonomic nervous system function examination indicated postganglionic cholinergic sympathetic dysfunction, sympathetic adrenergic dysfunction, and parasympathetic cholinergic dysfunction.

Prophylactic antibiotics induce early postcraniotomy seizures in neurosurgery patients: A case series.

RATIONALE: Antibiotics can cause central nervous system disturbances, manifesting as dizziness, confusion, headache, and seizures. Seizures due to antibiotic administration are related to increased excitatory neurotransmission because antibiotics act as competitive antagonists of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. PATIENT CONCERNS AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: All 5 patients, comprising 4 females and one male and aged 45 to 72 years, underwent open craniotomy with additional surgical maneuvers according to their specific disease. All patients presented American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status grades 1 to 2. There were no specific underlying diseases, except hepatitis C and hypertension. However, seizures developed sequentially in the 5 patients after neurosurgery. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: Early postcraniotomy seizures (PCS) developed in the patients after neurosurgery. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in all cases to prevent infection due to open craniotomy. This included the administration of 10 g and 2 g of an antibiotic (cefotiam HCL; Jetiam Intravenous Injection 1g®) an hour before the surgery in the ward and half an hour before the surgery in the operating room, respectively. After surgery, cefotiam HCL 2 g was administered in all patients on the day of surgery. Five patients had myoclonic seizure or generalized tonic-clonic seizure several times at emergence or in the intensive care unit. LESSONS: Early PCS occurred in every patient when an overdose of the prophylactic antibiotic was administered. This report showed that the preoperative prophylactic antibiotic cefotiam administered in double doses evoked early PCS within a few hours of drug administration. Furthermore, such experiences caution that preoperative intravenous cephalosporins, including cefotiam, should be administered carefully in open craniotomy.

Acute compartment syndrome due to extravasation of peripheral intravenous blood transfusion.

Extravasation is an inadvertent injection or leakage of fluid and drugs in the extravascular or subcutaneous space. The extravasation by massive transfused blood results in the elevation of intra-compartmental pressures. Severely increased pressure may lead to acute compartment syndrome (ACS). A 50-year-old man underwent craniectomy for traumatic subdural hemorrhage of the brain. During intraoperative periods, the blood components were transfused by rapid transfusion device and manual pressurized pumping through the central and peripheral lines because of hemorrhagic hypovolemic shock. Approximately 30 minutes after transfusion, we found a hardened right low leg that was obscured by the surgical drape. Immediately, fasciotomy was performed to release all four compartments. The early recognition and treatment of ACS were important factors contributing to anatomical structure salvage and preservation of function. Anesthesia providers should check the site of the insertion of the intravenous catheter, especially while pressurized massive transfusion via the peripheral intravenous catheter.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis during emergence from general anesthesia in a patient with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the extrapyramidal system, and respiratory dysfunction has also been noted in patients with PD. However, acute upper airway obstruction due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a very rare finding in PD. Here, we describe a rare life-threatening respiratory failure caused by bilateral vocal cord paralysis in an elderly woman with PD during emergence from general anesthesia. The tracheostomy was performed on the postoperative period because the condition persisted. The general anesthesia in PD may have aggravated vocal cord impairment. We recommend when a patient with PD is scheduled for general anesthesia that the anesthesiologist performs careful preoperative examinations, strictly monitors respiratory function, and rapidly manages acute upper airway obstruction.

The effect of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil on the postoperative sore throat after thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is an important concern in surgical patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. Its prevalence after thyroidectomy is up to 80%. The current study aimed to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil on postoperative sore throat. METHODS: Seventy-four patients who underwent thyroidectomy were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (group D) or remifentanil (group R). At anesthesia induction, group D received dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg over 10 minutes, followed by continuous dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.3 to 0.6 µg/kg/hour during surgery. Group R received remifentanil of 3 to 4 ng/ml during induction, followed by 1.5 to 2.5 ng/ml remifentanil infusion during surgery. POST at rest and swallowing was assessed during the first 24 hours in serial time periods (0-1, 1-6, and 6-24 hours). Hoarseness and postoperative pain score were also assessed. RESULTS: POST incidence at rest (0-1, 1-6, and 6-24 hours) and swallowing (1-6 and 6-24 hours) was lower in group D than in group R. POST severity was significantly lower in group D than in group R during each time period. The incidence of postoperative hoarseness was also lower in group D than in group R at 1 to 6 and 6 to 24 hours. The postoperative pain score was lower in group D than in group R during each time period. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion reduced the incidence and severity of POST for 24 hours after thyroidectomy.

Comparison of the intraoperative analgesic efficacy between ultrasound-guided deep and superficial serratus anterior plane block during video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: A prospective randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a novel method that provides lateral chest wall analgesia. There are 2 methods of SAPB; deep and superficial SAPB. Each of these methods has been demonstrated to provide effective perioperative analgesia in thoracic surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic and analgesic benefits of deep versus superficial SAPB during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, patient/assessor-blinded trial. We included patients who were 20 to 75 years of age and scheduled to undergo VATS lobectomy with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 or 2. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided deep SAPB (Group D) or superficial SAPB (Group S). The primary outcome was intraoperative remifentanil consumption. We also recorded intraoperative systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), emergence time, and doses of rescue drugs used to manage hemodynamic instability. RESULTS: Data for 50 patients undergoing 3-port VATS lobectomy were analyzed. Intraoperative remifentanil consumption did not differ significantly between Group D (n = 25, 715.62 ±â€Š320.36 µg) and group S (n = 25, 721.08 ±â€Š294.48 µg) (P = .97). Additionally, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in SBP and HR at any time point, emergence time, or amount of rescue drugs used. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the intraoperative analgesic efficacy is similar for deep and superficial SAPB during VATS lobectomy.

General anesthesia for patient with Fahr's syndrome: A case report.

RATIONALE: Fahr's syndrome (FS) is a rare neurological and psychiatric disorder characterized by bilateral brain calcifications when a secondary cause of the calcification is found. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 53-year-old female patient diagnosed with FS for laminectomy because of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. She had a history of generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizure and medication with anticonvulsant drugs. She had gait disturbance, spasticity, bradykinesia, and diffuse calcifications in the basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral hemispheres on the brain computed tomography. On the preoperative examination, the serum and ionized calcium (Ca) were decreased to 3.7 and 2.22 mg/dL. Hypomagnesemia is combined with hypocalcemia. Furthermore, the level of parathyroid hormone was decreased to 2.18 pg/mL. DIAGNOSES: Due to the radiologic findings and laboratory test results, she was diagnosed with FS with primary hypoparathyroidism. INTERVENTIONS: The Ca and magnesium (Mg) had been corrected before surgery but the electrolytes revealed low level at the intraoperative period. The 300 mg of calcium chloride was administered at 2 times and 1200 mg of it were infused for 1 hour during intraoperative periods. In addition, total 4 g of Mg sulfate intravenously administered. We used rocuronium as a neuromuscular block and checked neuromuscular function by train-of-four monitoring. OUTCOMES: Residual neuromuscular blockade was reversed with pyridostigmine and her muscle power completely recovered. The patient was extubated successfully and no unpredictable events occurred. On the day following transfer, serum electrolytes remained low, and although Ca was continuously supplied, serum Ca did not recover to a normal level. The patient was medicated with anticonvulsant drugs but experienced GTC seizure 2 weeks after surgery. LESSONS: We presume that the pathophysiology of FS was related to primary hypoparathyroidism and hypomagnesemia. FS raises concerns associated with neuromuscular problems, spasticity, and seizure, and concerns of hypotension, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, and cerebrovascular attack during perioperative periods, among anesthesiologists because of hypocalcemia and vessel calcification. During the perioperative period, Ca levels should be closely monitored, and titrated Ca replacement therapy is recommended. The simultaneous correction of hypomagnesemia is of considerable importance when correcting hypocalcemia.

Comparison of sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia on the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing lung surgery.

Background: The type and regimen of anesthesia may affect perioperative hyperglycemia following major surgical stress. This study compared the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the incidence of hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had undergone lung surgery. Blood glucose levels and clinical outcomes from the preoperative period to the first 2 post-operative days (PODs) were retrospectively examined in patients who received sevoflurane (group S, n= 87) and propofol (group P, n=89) for maintenance of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia (2 consecutive blood glucose levels >180 mg/dL [10.0 mmol/L]) during the perioperative period. The secondary composite endpoint was the incidence of major postoperative complications and 30-day mortality rate after surgery. Results: Blood glucose levels similarly increased from the preoperative period to the second POD in both groups (p=0.857). Although blood glucose levels at 2 hours after surgery were significantly lower in group P than in group S (p=0.022; 95% confidence interval for mean difference, -27.154 to -2.090), there was no difference in the incidence of persistent hyperglycemia during the perioperative period (group S, 70%; group P, 69%; p=0.816). The composite of major postoperative complications and all-cause in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were also comparable between the two groups. Conclusion: Sevoflurane and propofol were associated with a comparable incidence of perioperative hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing lung surgery.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block at 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae using the lateral paracarotid out-of-plane approach for sympathetic blockade in the upper extremity.

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±0.38℃ and 1.41±0.68℃ at C6 and C7, respectively; p<0.05). Significantly increased post-SGB temperatures (difference >1℃) 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.

Hypoxic hepatitis during the perioperative period in patients with severe pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale.

Hypoxic hepatitis (HH) is characterized by marked and transient elevations in liver enzyme levels in the absence of other potential causes of liver injury. Although rare, it can occur in the presence of hemodynamic instability and hypoxemia in patients with cor pulmonale. We report two cases of perioperative HH in patients with severe pulmonary disease and cor pulmonale. The first case is of a patient with cor pulmonale who underwent hemiarthroplasty for a femur fracture. Transient hypotension developed during spinal anesthesia and severe hypoxemia were observed in the postoperative period. After surgery, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels suddenly increased to 3740 and 817 U/L, respectively. The second case is of a patient with congestive heart failure and cor pulmonale whose blood pressure and oxygen saturation decreased during induction of general anesthesia and after surgery, and AST, ALT, and lactic dehydrogenase levels increased to 1291, 1292, and 2710 U/L, respectively. The liver enzyme levels normalized within 7-14 days in both cases. We speculate the diagnosis of these cases as HH.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Debridement and Drainage with Four Different Approach Methods for the Treatment of Spinal Infection.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of spinal infection seems to be increasing in recent years. Percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage (PEDD) has become an effective alternative to extensive open surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study reviewed the charter of patients who received PEDD using 4 different approach methods to evaluate the clinical results. STUDY DESIGN: An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved retrospective chart review. SETTING: University hospital inpatient referred to our pain clinic. METHODS: A retrospective patient chart analysis of PEDD procedures in spinal infections over a 7-year period was done for the evaluation of structural location, symptoms and signs, etiologic agents, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (11 men and 6 women, mean age 70.4 ± 11.1 years) with spinal infections received PEDD. According to the structural localization of the spinal infections, 6 cases of spondylodiscitis alone, 5 cases of spondylodiscitis with a psoas abscess, one case of spondylodiscitis with an epidural abscess, 4 cases of spondylodiscitis with epidural and psoas abscesses, and one case of spondylodiscitis with a facet joint abscess were found. All patients had preoperative symptoms of unremitting backache and febrile sensation, and signs of paravertebral muscle tenderness and limitation of spine motion. The most common etiologic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. Most patients (14/17) improved; the 2 failed patients received a second PEDD after recurrence, and the other received open surgery without re-PEDD. Both the numeric rating scale and Oswestry disability index scores were significantly reduced after PEDD. No complications related to PEDD were found. LIMITATION: This study is limited by its retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: PEDD using 4 different routes brought immediate pain relief and reduced disability in treating spinal infections, especially in elderly patients with comorbid underlying disorders.Key words: Percutaneous discectomy, psoas abscess, spinal epidural abscess, spondylodiscitis, surgical endoscopy.