Relationship between intraoperative requirement for anesthetics and postoperative analgesic consumption in laparoscopic colectomy: a randomized controlled double-blinded study

Background@#This study investigated the relationship between intraoperative requirement for an inhalational anesthetic (sevoflurane) or an opioid (remifentanil) and postoperative analgesic consumption. @*Methods@#The study included 200 adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colectomy. In the sevoflurane group, the effect-site concentration of remifentanil was fixed at 1.0 ng/ml, while the inspiratory sevoflurane concentration was adjusted to maintain an appropriate anesthetic depth. In the remifentanil group, the end-expiratory sevoflurane concentration was fixed at 1.0 volume%, and the remifentanil concentration was adjusted. Pain scores and cumulative postoperative analgesic consumptions were evaluated at 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery. @*Results@#Average end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane and effect-site concentration of remifentanil were 2.0 ± 0.4 volume% and 3.9 ± 1.4 ng/ml in the sevoflurane and remifentanil groups, respectively. Cumulative postoperative analgesic consumption at 48 h postoperatively was 55 ± 26 ml in the sevoflurane group and 57 ± 33 ml in the remifentanil group. In the remifentanil group, the postoperative cumulative analgesic consumptions at 2 and 6 h were positively correlated with intraoperative remifentanil requirements (2 h: r = 0.36, P < 0.01; 6 h: r = 0.38, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation in the sevoflurane group (r = 0.04, P = 0.69). @*Conclusions@#The amount of intraoperative requirement of short acting opioid, remifentanil, is correlated with postoperative analgesic consumption within postoperative 6 h. It may be contributed by the development of acute opioid tolerance. However, intraoperative sevoflurane requirement had no effect on postoperative analgesic consumption.

Effects of hypercarbia on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation: prospective randomized crossover study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hypercarbia on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV). @*Methods@#Fifty adult patients undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or pneumonectomy were enrolled. Group I patients (n = 25) were first maintained at normocarbia (PaCO2: 38‒42 mmHg) for 30 min and then at hypercarbia (45‒50 mmHg). In Group II patients (n = 25), PaCO2 was maintained in the reverse order. Arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), respiratory variables, hemodynamic variables, and hemoglobin concentration were compared during normocarbia and hypercarbia. Arterial O2 content and O2 delivery were calculated. @*Results@#PaO2 values during normocarbia and hypercarbia were 66.5 ± 10.6 and 79.7 ± 17.3 mmHg, respectively (mean difference: 13.2 mmHg, 95% CI for difference of means: 17.0 to 9.3, P < 0.001). SaO2 values during normocarbia and hypercarbia were 92.5 ± 4.8% and 94.3 ± 3.1% (P = 0.009), respectively. Static compliance of the lung (33.0 ± 5.4 vs. 30.4 ± 5.3 ml/cmH2O, P < 0.001), arterial O2 content (15.4 ± 1.4 vs. 14.9 ± 1.5 ml/dl, P < 0.001) and O2 delivery (69.9 ± 18.4 vs. 65.1 ± 18.1 ml/min, P < 0.001) were significantly higher during hypercarbia than during normocarbia. @*Conclusions@#Hypercarbia increases PaO2 and O2 carrying capacity and improves pulmonary mechanics during OLV, suggesting that it may help manage oxygenation during OLV. Therefore, permissive hypercarbia may be a simple and valuable modality to manage arterial oxygenation during OLV.

Effects of hypercarbia on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation: prospective randomized crossover study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hypercarbia on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation (OLV). @*Methods@#Fifty adult patients undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or pneumonectomy were enrolled. Group I patients (n = 25) were first maintained at normocarbia (PaCO2: 38‒42 mmHg) for 30 min and then at hypercarbia (45‒50 mmHg). In Group II patients (n = 25), PaCO2 was maintained in the reverse order. Arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), respiratory variables, hemodynamic variables, and hemoglobin concentration were compared during normocarbia and hypercarbia. Arterial O2 content and O2 delivery were calculated. @*Results@#PaO2 values during normocarbia and hypercarbia were 66.5 ± 10.6 and 79.7 ± 17.3 mmHg, respectively (mean difference: 13.2 mmHg, 95% CI for difference of means: 17.0 to 9.3, P < 0.001). SaO2 values during normocarbia and hypercarbia were 92.5 ± 4.8% and 94.3 ± 3.1% (P = 0.009), respectively. Static compliance of the lung (33.0 ± 5.4 vs. 30.4 ± 5.3 ml/cmH2O, P < 0.001), arterial O2 content (15.4 ± 1.4 vs. 14.9 ± 1.5 ml/dl, P < 0.001) and O2 delivery (69.9 ± 18.4 vs. 65.1 ± 18.1 ml/min, P < 0.001) were significantly higher during hypercarbia than during normocarbia. @*Conclusions@#Hypercarbia increases PaO2 and O2 carrying capacity and improves pulmonary mechanics during OLV, suggesting that it may help manage oxygenation during OLV. Therefore, permissive hypercarbia may be a simple and valuable modality to manage arterial oxygenation during OLV.

Hemodynamic effects of different types of pneumatic compression of the lower extremities during anesthesia induction: a prospective randomized controlled trial / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluated the hemodynamic effects of different types of pneumatic compressions of the lower extremities during anesthesia induction. In addition, the hemodynamic effects were compared between patients older than 65 age years and those aged 65 years or younger. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients (90: > 65 years and 90: ≤ 65 years) were enrolled. Each age group of patients was randomly assigned to one of three groups; Group 1 (no compression), Group 2 (sequential pneumatic compression), and Group 3 (sustained pneumatic compression without decompression). Invasive blood pressure, cardiac index (CI), and stroke volume variation (SVV) were measured. RESULTS: In patients aged ≤ 65 years, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CI were significantly higher and SVV was lower in Group 3 compared to Group 1 before tracheal intubation, but there were no differences between Groups 1 and 2. However, there were no differences in MAP, CI, and SVV among the three groups in patients aged > 65 years. The number of patients who showed a MAP 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained pneumatic compression of the lower extremities has more hemodynamic stabilizing effects compared to sequential compression during anesthesia induction in patients aged 65 years or younger. However, no difference between methods of compression was observed in patients older than 65 years.

A comparison between ketorolac and nefopam as adjuvant analgesics for postoperative patient-controlled analgesia: a randomized, double-blind, prospective study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We compared the analgesic efficacy and side effects of ketorolac and nefopam that were co-administered with fentanyl via intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to ketorolac (Group K) or nefopam (Group N) groups. The anesthetic regimen was standardized for all patients. The analgesic solution contained fentanyl 600 µg and ketorolac 180 mg in Group K, and fentanyl 600 µg and nefopam 120 mg in Group N. The total volume of analgesic solution was 120 ml. Postoperative analgesic consumption, recovery of pulmonary function, and pain intensities at rest and during the forced expiration were evaluated at postoperative 2, 6, 24, and 48 h. The postoperative side effects of analgesics were recorded. RESULTS: Cumulative postoperative analgesic consumptions at postoperative 48 h were comparable (Group K: 93.4 ± 24.0 ml vs. Group N: 92.9 ± 26.1 ml, P = 0.906) between the groups. Pain scores at rest and during deep breathing were similar at the time of each examination. The recovery of pulmonary function showed no significant differences between the groups. Overall, postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence was higher in Group N compared with Group K (59% vs. 34%, P = 0.015). The other side effects were comparable between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Analgesic efficacies of ketorolac and nefopam that were co-administered with fentanyl for postoperative pain management as adjuvant analgesics were similar. However, postoperative nausea and vomiting incidence was higher in the nefopam-fentanyl combination compared with the ketorolac-fentanyl combination.

The economic evaluation of nitrous oxide in sevoflurane anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is much cheaper than recently introduced volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane and desflurane, and can reduce the consumption of these anesthetics. The use of N₂O is under current debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate economic effect of 50% N₂O during sevoflurane anesthesia in Korea. METHODS: Seventy patients were randomly allocated to Group A or Group N. Anesthesia induction was performed using propofol, rocuronium, and 3–5% of sevoflurane with air (Group A) or 50% N2O (Group N). Fresh gas flow (FGF) was 6 L/min during induction, and 3 L/min for maintenance. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), bispectral index (BIS), and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) were recorded. The consumption of sevoflurane was measured at every 10 minutes for the first 1 hour. The economic effect was analyzed based on the payment criterion of Korean National Health Insurance Service. RESULTS: MAP, HR, BIS, and MAC showed no differences between the two groups. The sevoflurane consumptions for the first 1 hour were 39.2 ± 6.3 ml in Group A and 29.2 ± 4.9 ml in Group N (P < 0.01); and the N₂O consumption was 93.7 ± 1.5 L in Group N. The total costs of inhaled anesthetics were 16,190 (14.8 USD) and 13,062 (12.0 USD) Korean won for the first 1 hour in Groups A and N, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of 50% N₂O with 3 L/min FGF reduced the sevoflurane consumption by 25% and anesthetic cost by 20% for the first 1 hour.

Comparison of prophylactic anti-emetic effects of ramosetron between single bolus administration and continuous infusion following bolus administration

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that the continuous infusion of ramosetron 0.15 mg following a 0.15 mg bolus administration would maintain higher 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor occupancy levels and be more effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) than a 0.3 mg single bolus administration. We conducted a study to compare the efficacy of single bolus ramosetron administration with the combination of continuous infusion following intravenous bolus administration for PONV prophylaxis. METHODS: One hundred and fifty female patients undergoing thyroidectomy were allocated randomly to one of three groups to receive a placebo (Group 1, n = 49), 0.3 mg of IV ramosetron (Group 2, n = 53), or the continuous infusion of 0.15 mg ramosetron following a bolus administration of 0.15 mg of ramosetron (Group 3, n = 48). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and N2O. The incidence of PONV, nausea severity, and use of rescue antiemetics during the postoperative 24 hours were recorded. RESULTS: Group 1 showed higher incidences of PONV during the postoperative 24 hour than Group 2 (81% vs. 58%, P = 0.02) and Group 3 (81% vs. 48%, P < 0.01), but there was no difference between Groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.39). The use of rescue antiemetics was significantly lower in Groups 2 and 3 than Group 1 during the postoperative 6 to 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences of incidence and severity of PONV between ramosetron 0.3 mg single bolus administration and the combination of ramosetron infusion after 0.15 mg bolus administration.

A comparison of the temperature difference according to the placement of a nasopharyngeal temperature probe / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare temperatures measured at three different sites where a nasopharyngeal temperature probe is commonly placed. METHODS: Eighty elective abdominal surgical patients were enrolled. After anesthesia induction, four temperature probes were placed at the nasal cavity, upper portion of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the esophagus. The placement of the nasopharyngeal temperature probes was evaluated using a flexible nasendoscope, and the depth from the nares was measured. The four temperatures were simultaneously recorded at 10-minute intervals for 60 minutes. RESULTS: The average depths of the probes that were placed in the nasal cavity, upper nasopharynx, and the oropharynx were respectively 5.7 ± 0.9 cm, 9.9 ± 0.7 cm, and 13.6 ± 1.7 cm from the nares. In the baseline temperatures, the temperature differences were significantly greater in the nasal cavity 0.32 (95% CI; 0.27-0.37)℃ than in the nasopharynx 0.02 (0.01-0.04)℃, and oropharynx 0.02 (−0.01 to 0.05)℃ compared with the esophagus (P < 0.001). These differences were maintained for 60 minutes. Twenty patients showed a 0.5℃ or greater temperature difference between the nasal cavity and the esophagus, but no patient showed such a difference at the nasopharynx and oropharynx. CONCLUSIONS: During general anesthesia, the temperatures measured at the upper nasopharynx and the oropharynx, but not the nasal cavity, reflected the core temperature. Therefore, the authors recommend that a probe should be placed at the nasopharynx (≈ 10 cm) or oropharynx (≈ 14 cm) with mucosal attachment for accurate core temperature measurement.

Erratum: A comparison of postoperative emergence agitation between sevoflurane and thiopental anesthesia induction in pediatric patients (Korean J Anesthesiol 2015 Aug; 68(4): 373-378) / 대한마취과학회지

The original article contained an error in Figure and Figure legend.

Effects of intraoperative single bolus fentanyl administration and remifentanil infusion on postoperative nausea and vomiting / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although the use of postoperative opioids is a well-known risk factor for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), few studies have been performed on the effects of intraoperative opioids on PONV. We examined the effects of a single bolus administration of fentanyl during anesthesia induction and the intraoperative infusion of remifentanil on PONV. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty women, aged 20 to 65 years and scheduled for thyroidectomy, were allocated to a control group (Group C), a single bolus administration of fentanyl 2 microg/kg during anesthesia induction (Group F), or 2 ng/ ml of effect-site concentration-controlled intraoperative infusion of remifentanil (Group R) groups. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and 50% N2O. The incidence and severity of PONV and use of rescue antiemetics were recorded at 2, 6, and 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Group F showed higher incidences of nausea (60/82, 73% vs. 38/77, 49%; P = 0.008), vomiting (40/82, 49% vs. 23/77 30%; P = 0.041) and the use of rescue antiemetics (47/82, 57% vs. 29/77, 38%; P = 0.044) compared with Group C at postoperative 24 h. However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of PONV between Groups C and R. The overall incidences of PONV for postoperative 24 h were 49%, 73%, and 59% in Groups C, F, and R, respectively (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: A single bolus administration of fentanyl 2 microg/kg during anesthesia induction increases the incidence of PONV, but intraoperative remifentanil infusion with 2 ng/ml effect-site concentration did not affect the incidence of PONV.

A comparison of postoperative emergence agitation between sevoflurane and thiopental anesthesia induction in pediatric patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare the incidence of emergence agitation (EA) between inhalation and intravenous anesthesia induction in children after sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: In this prospective and double-blind study, 100 children aged 3 to 7 years were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to the sevoflurane (Group S) or thiopental (Group T) anesthesia induction groups. Anesthesia was induced using 8% sevoflurane and 4-6 mg/kg thiopental in Groups S and T, respectively. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. The children were evaluated at 5 and 20 min after arrival in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a four-point agitation scale and the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium scale. The incidence of EA and administration of the rescue agent were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of EA was significantly lower in Group T compared to Group S at 5 min after PACU arrival (3/49 patients, 6% vs. 12/47 patients, 26%, P = 0.019). However, there was no difference between the two groups at 20 min after PACU arrival (23/49 vs. 19/47 patients in Group T vs. Group S, P = 0.425). The overall incidence of EA was 60% (28/47 patients) in Group S and 41% (20/49 patients) in Group T (P = 0.102). The number of children who received propofol as a rescue agent was significantly lower in Group T (Group S: 14/47 vs. Group T: 5/49, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous anesthesia induction with thiopental reduced the incidence of EA in the early PACU period compared to inhalation induction with sevoflurane in 3- to 7-year-old children undergoing sevoflurane anesthesia.

The changes of endotracheal tube cuff pressure by the position changes from supine to prone and the flexion and extension of head / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The proper cuff pressure is important to prevent complications related to the endotracheal tube (ETT). We evaluated the change in ETT cuff pressure by changing the position from supine to prone without head movement. METHODS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled and scheduled for lumbar spine surgery. Neutral angle, which was the angle on the mandibular angle between the neck midline and mandibular inferior border, was measured. The initial neutral pressure of the ETT cuff was measured, and the cuff pressure was subsequently adjusted to 26 cmH2O. Flexed or extended angles and cuff pressure were measured in both supine and prone positions, when the patient's head was flexed or extended. Initial neutral pressure in prone was compared with adjusted neutral pressure (26 cmH2O) in supine. Flexed and extended pressure were compared with adjusted neutral pressure in supine or prone, respectively. RESULTS: There were no differences between supine and prone position for neutral, flexed, and extended angles. The initial neutral pressure increased after changing position from supine to prone (26.0 vs. 31.5 +/- 5.9 cmH2O, P < 0.001). Flexed and extended pressure in supine were increased to 38.7 +/- 6.7 (P < 0.001) and 26.7 +/- 4.7 cmH2O (not statistically significant) than the adjusted neutral pressure. Flexed and extended pressure in prone were increased to 40.5 +/- 8.8 (P < 0.001) and 29.9 +/- 8.7 cmH2O (P = 0.002) than the adjusted neutral pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The position change from supine to prone without head movement can cause a change in ETT cuff pressure.

A comparison of desflurane consumption according to fresh gas flow / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

A method for optimal depth of the nasopharyngeal temperature probe: the philtrum to tragus distance / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The nasopharyngeal temperature probe should be placed in the upper nasopharynx to reflect accurate core temperature. However, there have been no studies conducted to predict parameters for the optimal depth of the nasopharyngeal temperature probe. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the optimal depth to the upper nasopharynx and the distance from the philtrum to the tragus and height. METHODS: Two hundred patients (100 females and 100 males) were enrolled in the study. The distance from the philtrum to the tragus along the facial curvature was measured, and the optimal depth from the nostril to the upper nasopharynx was evaluated using nasendoscopy. The relationships between the optimal depth to the upper nasopharynx and the distance from the philtrum to the tragus and height were examined. RESULTS: The distances from the philtrum to the tragus were 14.4 +/- 0.5 cm in females and 15.1 +/- 0.6 cm in males (P < 0.01). The depths from the nostril to the upper nasopharynx were 9.4 +/- 0.6 cm in females and 10.0 +/- 0.5 cm in males (P < 0.01). The correlation coefficients between the depth from the nostril to the upper nasopharynx and the distance to the tragus from the philtrum were 0.43 in females and 0.41 in males (P < 0.01). However, there were very weak correlations and no correlations between height and the depth from the nostril to the upper nasopharynx in females and males, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The depth from the nostril to the upper nasopharynx is correlated weakly with the distance from the philtrum to the tragus. Although the distance from the philtrum to the tragus is not a good predicting parameter for the optimal depth of nasopharyngeal temperature probe placement, subtraction of 5 cm from the distance is helpful to estimate the optimal depth of the nasopharyngeal temperature probe.

Effect of ketorolac on the prevention of emergence agitation in children after sevoflurane anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ketorolac on the incidence and severity of emergence agitation in children recovering from sevoflurane anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty-five children aged 3 to 7 years were randomly assigned to the control group or the ketorolac group (1 mg/kg ketorolac). The children were evaluated by the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium Scale and a four-point agitation scale. RESULTS: The median agitation scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. The overall incidence of emergence agitation was similar in the two groups (41% in the control group vs. 32% in the ketorolac group, P = 0.526). The number of children who received rescue drugs for treatment of emergence agitation was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of 1 mg/kg of ketorolac is not effective in decreasing the incidence and severity of emergence agitation in children aged 3 to 7 years after sevoflurane anesthesia.

The effects of incremental continuous positive airway pressure on arterial oxygenation and pulmonary shunt during one-lung ventilation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although one lung ventilation (OLV) is frequently used for facilitating thoracic surgical procedures, arterial hypoxemia can occur while using one lung anesthesia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in 5 or 10 cmH2O to the non-ventilating lung is commonly recommended to prevent hypoxemia. We evaluated the effects of incremental CPAP to the non-ventilating lung on arterial oxygenation and pulmonary shunt without obstruction of the surgical field during OLV. METHODS: Twenty patients that were scheduled for one lung anesthesia were included in this study. Systemic and pulmonary hemodynamic data and blood gas analysis was recorded every fifteen minutes according to the patient's positions and CPAP levels. CPAP was applied from 0 cmH2O by 3 cmH2O increments until a surgeon notifies that the surgical field was obstructed by the expanded lung. Following that, pulmonary shunt fraction (QS/QT) was calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of QS/QT between supine and lateral positions with two lung ventilation (TLV). OLV significantly decreased arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and increased QS/QT compared to TLV. PaO2 and QS/QT significantly improved at 6 and 9 cmH2O of CPAP compared to 0 cmH2O. However, there were no significant differences of PaO2 and QS/QT between 6 and 9 cmH2O CPAP. In 18 patients (90%), surgical fields were obstructed at 9 cmH2O CPAP. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 6 cmH2O CPAP effectively improved arterial oxygenation without interference of the surgical field during OLV when CPAP was applied from 0 cmH2O in 3 cmH2O increments.

The preanesthetic interview by anesthesiology residents: analysis of time and content / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: A preanesthetic visit can increase a patient's satisfaction. However, it is uncertain whether a preanesthetic visit by an anesthesiology resident can achieve the goal. We studied the time distribution for content of preanesthetic interviews (PI) and evaluated the patient's satisfaction with the PI. METHODS: We recorded the PI duration of 200 patients by a voice recorder. The degrees of patient satisfaction with the PI and the changes of anxiety level after the PI were quantified by a questionnaire. We analyzed the time distribution for content of the PI and the correlation between patient characteristics and PI duration or a patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The total PI duration was 184 (134-286) sec (median, 25-75%), and the time distributions for content of the PI were 8 (5-10) of greeting, 45 (23-70) of history taking, 15 (10-20) of physical examination, 50 (25-98) for obtainingan informed consent, 20 (10-30) of explanation for anesthetic planning, 15 (5-28) for explanation of patient controlled analgesia, and 10 (0-4) sec for questions and answers. Age, ASA physical status, and educational level were correlated with PI duration (P < 0.001). The patient's level of satisfaction was "very satisfied" in 39%, "satisfied" in 50%, and "moderate" in 11% of interviews. The anxiety level was "decreased" in 50%, "increased" in 8%, and "not changed" in 42% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the duration of a PI given by residents was a relatively short, 89% of patients of were satisfied with the interview. The PI took a longer time to complete in patients of older age, higher ASA physical status, or lower educational levels.

Does choice of anesthetics affect intraoperative blood loss? / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.

Tracheal rupture after endotracheal intubation: A report of three cases / 대한마취과학회지

Tracheal rupture is a rare but serious complication that occurs after endotracheal intubation. It usually presents as a linear lesion in the membranous wall of the trachea, and is more prevalent in women and patients older than 50 years. The clinical manifestations of tracheal injury include subcutaneous emphysema and respiratory distress. We report the cases of three female patients of old age presenting tracheal rupture after endotracheal intubation. Two cases received surgical repair without complication and one recovered uneventfully after conservative management. We presume that the tracheal injuries were caused by over-inflation of cuff and sudden movement of the tube by positional change. Therefore, we recommend cuff pressure monitoring during general anesthesia and minimized movement of the head and neck at positional change.

Does intraoperative remifentanil infusion really make more postoperative pain? / 대한마취과학회지

No abstract available.