[Case of ulnar nerve palsy in a patient with a history of total elbow arthroplasty after abdominal surgery under general anesthesia].

Ulnar nerve palsy is a well recognized complication of the general anesthesia. We experienced a case of ulnar nerve palsy after abdominal surgery under general anesthesia in a patient with a history of total elbow arthroplasty and ulnar nerve translocation. It appears that pressure on medial epicondyle caused the palsy and that the position of the ulnar nerve has to be carefully examined before surgery in a patient with a history of total elbow arthroplasty and ulnar nerve translocation.

Moderate hypercapnia-induced anesthetic effects and endogenous opioids.

The purpose of this report is to explore the mechanisms of hypercapnia-induced antinociception. We carried out three experiments, the first to confirm whether moderate hypercapnia induces anesthetic effects, the second to determine whether naloxone reverses the anesthetic effects, and the third to evaluate whether beta-endorphin is related to the anesthetic effects. In a pre-test, we determined the optimal CO(2) concentration in a chamber which would cause moderate hypercapnia in rats. Eighteen rats were divided into control, hypercapnia, and hypercapnia plus naloxone groups in experiment 1. The naloxone group rats were injected with naloxone (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally before gas inhalation. After 60 min gas inhalation, 10% formalin was injected into the left rear paw of all rats, and nociceptive behaviors were observed for 1 h. In experiment 2, 11 rats were divided into control and hypercapnia groups. The brain was removed and fixed under pentobarbital anesthesia. Sections were immunostained for c-Fos and beta-endorphin (ACTH) with the ABC method. All neurons double-labeled for c-Fos and beta-endorphin (ACTH) in the arcuate nucleus were counted by blinded investigators. Moderate hypercapnia (PaCO(2) 83+/-7 mmHg) reduced nociceptive behavior in the formalin test and naloxone pre-treatment attenuated this phenomenon. However, beta-endorphin-producing neurons were not activated by CO(2) inhalation. Endogenous opioids are related to moderate, hypercapnia-induced anesthetic effects, but, beta-endorphin-producing neurons in the hypothalamus were not activated by the CO(2) inhalation stress.

Licking and c-fos expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord after the formalin test.

We investigated whether c-fos expression in the dorsal horn is affected by licking in the formalin test. Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: a free condition control (Free Cont) group, formalin test under free condition (Free F-test) group, scrub stimulation under free condition (Free Scrub) group, restrained condition control (Restricted Cont) group, and formalin test under restrained condition (Restricted F-test) group. Animals in the three free condition groups and two restricted groups were put in a clear plastic chamber and a restraining chamber, respectively. Ten percent formalin was injected into the left rear paw in the Free and Restricted F-test groups. Animals in the Free Scrub group were scrubbed on the left rear paw with a wet cotton swab. The Free Cont, Restricted Cont, and Free Scrub groups showed little c-fos expression. The number of c-fos positive cells in the ipsilateral surface dorsal horn of the Restricted F-test group was significantly less than that of the Free F-test group (P < 0.05). The results indicated that the licking action increased c-fos expression of the lumbar dorsal horn in the formalin test.

CYP2C19 genotype affects diazepam pharmacokinetics and emergence from general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: Diazepam is widely used to relieve preoperative anxiety in patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of polymorphism in CYP2C19 and the effects of CYP3A4 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) content in blood on recovery from general anesthesia and on diazepam pharmacokinetics. METHODS: Sixty-three Japanese patients were classified into the following 3 genotype (phenotype) groups on the basis of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of CYP2C19 polymorphism: no variants, *1/*1 (extensive metabolizer [EM]); 1 variant, *1/*2 or *1/*3 (intermediate metabolizer [IM]); and 2 variants, *2/*2, *2/*3, or *3/*3 (poor metabolizer [PM]). We assessed the effects of these polymorphisms and of CYP3A4 mRNA content in the lymphocytes on the patients' recovery from general anesthesia. RESULTS: CYP2C19 genotyping analysis in the 63 subjects showed that 32%, 46%, and 22% of subjects were classified into the EM, IM, and PM groups, respectively. The PM subjects showed a larger area under the curve representing the concentration of diazepam over a 24-hour period (AUC(0-24)) (2088 +/- 378 ng/mL.h(-1), P = .0259), lower clearance of diazepam (0.049 +/- 0.009 L.h(-1).kg(-1), P = .0287), and longer emergence time (median, 18 minutes; 25th-75th percentile range, 13-21 minutes; P < .001) in comparison with subjects in the EM group (AUC(0-24), 1412 +/- 312 ng/mL; clearance, 0.074 +/- 0.018 L.h(-1).kg(-1); and emergence time, 10 minutes, 8-12 minutes [median and 25th-75th percentile range]). The IM group also showed a longer emergence time (median, 13 minutes; 25th-75th percentile range, 9-20 minutes; P < .001) and a larger variation in this parameter in comparison with the EM group. The distributions of the CYP2C19 genotype were significantly different between the 2 groups (rapid emergence <20 minutes, slow emergence >20 minutes) (P = .0148). The mean value of the CYP3A4 mRNA level in the slow-emergence group (mean +/- SD, 4.80 +/- 3.99 x10(-10)) was significantly lower than that of the rapid-emergence group (mean +/- SD, 12.50 +/- 11.90 x10(-10)) (P = .0315). However, there was no significant correlation between emergence time and CYP3A4 mRNA levels (r = 0.239, P = .0601). CONCLUSION: We found that the CYP2C19 genotype affects diazepam pharmacokinetics and emergence from general anesthesia and that the slow-emergence group possesses lower levels of CYP3A4 mRNA than are found in the rapid-emergence group.

Effects of naloxone on stress-induced analgesia after hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether endogenous opioids might be involved in the mechanisms that underlie hemorrhagic shock-induced analgesia, formalin tests were performed after hemorrhage and reinfusion in naloxone pretreated and untreated rats. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (n = 6), saline (n = 6), naloxone 10 mg/kg (n = 6), and naloxone 100 mg/kg (n = 6) groups. The mean blood pressure (mBP) was kept at 50 to 60 mm Hg for 30 minutes by draining arterial blood in the saline group and the naloxone groups. After 15 minutes of returning mBP to normal levels by reinfusion of the drained shed blood, 10% formalin (3.7% formaldehyde solution, 0.1 mL) was injected into the left rear paw. Nociceptive behaviors were observed for 1 hour after the formalin injection. RESULTS: Nociceptive behaviors of the posthemorrhagic shock groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. No significant difference was seen in nociceptive behaviors among the saline and naloxone groups. CONCLUSION: Naloxone did not reverse the hemorrhagic shock-induced analgesia, which suggests that endogenous opioids might not be a major factor that governs stress-induced analgesia (SIA) after hemorrhagic shock.

Effects of expiratory rib-cage compression on oxygenation, ventilation, and airway-secretion removal in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Expiratory rib-cage compression, a chest physiotherapy technique, is well known as the "squeezing" technique in Japan. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of rib-cage compression on airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, and ventilation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. SETTING: An intensive care unit of an emergency and critical care center at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: Thirty-one intubated, mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit were studied in a randomized, crossover trial. The patients received endotracheal suctioning with or without rib-cage compression, with a minimum 3-hour interval between the 2 interventions. Rib-cage compression was performed for 5 min before endotracheal suctioning. Arterial blood gas and respiratory mechanics were measured 5 min before endotracheal suctioning (baseline) and 25 min after suctioning. The 2 measurement periods were carried out on the same day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen, P(aCO2), or dynamic compliance of the respiratory system between the 2 periods (before and after endotracheal suctioning). Moreover, there were no significant differences in airway-secretion removal between the 2 periods. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that rib-cage compression prior to endotracheal suctioning does not improve airway-secretion removal, oxygenation, or ventilation after endotracheal suctioning in this unselected population of mechanically ventilated patients.

[Case of premature ventricular contraction immediately after electroconvulsive therapy in a depressive patient].

A 42-year-old woman with eating disorder underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under general anesthesia with thiamylal 150 mg and suxamethonium 60 mg. On her fourth ECT procedure, premature ventricular contraction (PVC) occurred immediately after the treatment. We speculate that increased release of catecholamine by ECT and hypokalemia caused PVC. It seems that she repeated self-vomiting, because she had hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and weight loss of 3 kg in two weeks before arrhythmia episode. We conclude that in the anesthetic management of patients undergoing ECT a careful attention should be given to body weight change and serum electrolyte care before ECT because it is easy to develop electrolyte abnormality by eating disorder of self-emetic type.

Hiccup reflex is mediated by pharyngeal branch of glossopharyngeal nerve in cats.

Hiccup reflex is a coordinated motor activity that causes a brief strong inspiratory movement accompanied by glottic adduction. Our previous study has demonstrated that mechanical stimulation of the dorsal epipharynx elicits hiccup-like response. To identify the afferent pathway of the hiccup-like response, the pharyngeal branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (PB-GPN) which distributed to the dorsal epipharyngeal area was electrically stimulated in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing cats. To access the epipharynx and to directly observe a glottic movement, we made a submental opening at the region rostral to the epiglottis. An activity from the lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA) muscle of the larynx was recorded as an index of glottic adduction, and intrapleural pressure (Ppl) as an index of an inspiratory movement. Electrical stimulation of PB-GPN evoked a fixed motor pattern of hiccup-like response representing a spiky strong negative change in Ppl accompanied by an initial brief burst of LCA electromyogram (EMG). LCA excitation occurred prior to the spiky inspiratory movement. An initial and transient glottic adduction during the response was confirmed by direct observation. Electrical stimulation of the main trunk of the glossopharyngeal nerve evoked expiratory reflex, but not inspiratory (hiccup-like) response. These results indicated that PB-GPN is responsible for hiccup reflex.

Free lidocaine concentrations during continuous epidural anesthesia in geriatric patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of aging on lidocaine pharmacokinetics, the plasma concentrations of total and free lidocaine and its metabolites were measured during continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia in middle-aged (age 41 +/- 9 years, n = 7) and elderly (age 72 +/- 2 years, n = 7) male patients. METHODS: After establishment of general anesthesia, 7 mL 1.5% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 was injected into the epidural space and subsequently infused at a rate of 5 mL/h for 5 hours. Plasma concentrations of total and free lidocaine, monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), and glycinexylidide (GX) were measured at 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 minutes after initial lidocaine injection using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. RESULTS: The elderly group showed a stronger upward trend in the corrected free lidocaine concentrations and lower corrected total MEGX concentrations than the middle-aged group. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine metabolite activity in the elderly male patients was lower than that in the middle-aged male patients. Free lidocaine concentration is prone to increase in elderly patients. Caution must be exercised during continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia in geriatric patients.

Effects of expiratory rib cage compression combined with endotracheal suctioning on gas exchange in mechanically ventilated rabbits with induced atelectasis.

INTRODUCTION: In Japan, expiratory rib cage compression (a chest physiotherapy technique) is frequently used with mechanically ventilated patients. It has not been determined whether rib cage compression combined with endotracheal suctioning improves oxygenation, ventilation, and mucus clearance. We evaluated the effects of rib cage compression with and without endotracheal suctioning on P(aO(2)), P(aCO(2)), dynamic compliance of the respiratory system (C(RS)), and mucus clearance in rabbits with induced atelectasis. METHODS: Anesthetized adult rabbits had an 18-gauge catheter placed into the airway, together with a tracheal tube via tracheostoma, and were mechanically ventilated. To create atelectasis, artificial mucus was infused into the airway via the catheter. Each rabbit was randomly assigned to one of 4 groups (= 7 in each): (1) control, (2) received endotracheal suctioning alone, (3) received rib cage compression alone, and (4) received both rib cage compression and endotracheal suctioning. After these interventions, for 30 min, each animal was placed supine without intervention for 120 min. RESULTS: In the groups that received rib cage compression, oxygenation, ventilation, and C.

Effects of expiratory rib cage compression and/or prone position on oxygenation and ventilation in mechanically ventilated rabbits with induced atelectasis.

INTRODUCTION: Expiratory rib cage compression is a chest physiotherapy technique known as "squeezing" technique in Japan. It has been claimed that rib cage compression effectively treats and/or prevents lung collapse, but no studies have been reported on rib cage compression focused on improving ventilation and/or oxygenation in subjects with collapsed lung. Therefore, we studied whether rib cage compression, with and without prone positioning, improves the ratio of P(aO)(2) to fraction of inspired oxygen (P(aO)(2)/F(IO)(2)), P(aCO)(2), or dynamic compliance of the respiratory system. METHODS: We used anesthetized adult rabbits with induced atelectasis. An endotracheal tube and an 18-gauge catheter were placed into the airway via a tracheostoma, and pressure-controlled mechanical ventilation was used. To create atelectasis, artificial mucus was infused into the airway via the catheter. The rabbits were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups ( = 10 in each group): (1) supine without rib cage compression, (2) supine with rib cage compression, (3) prone without rib cage compression, and (4) prone with rib cage compression. Each rib cage compression session lasted for 5 min and was repeated 5 times every 30 min. After these interventions for 180 min all animals were placed in the supine position for 120 min. RESULTS: The prone-position groups had significantly higher P(aO)(2)/F(IO)(2) than the supine-position groups at 60 min after the beginning of the intervention, and at 60, 90, and 120 min after the end of the intervention (p < 0.05). Rib cage compression did not significantly affect P(aO)(2)/F(IO)(2), P(aO)(2), or dynamic compliance. CONCLUSIONS: It is unlikely that rib cage compression re-expands collapsed lung. Prone positioning improved oxygenation in rabbits with induced atelectasis.

Ventilatory effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ventilatory effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients under general anesthesia with epidural block. METHODS: We measured arterial blood gas, pulmonary carbon dioxide elimination (0000126;ECO2), the dead space/tidal volume ratio (VD/VT), and the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference [(A-a)DO2] just before and 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 min after peritoneal insufflation in eight patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia with epidural block. The effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on these values was evaluated. The patients were ventilated on the controlled mode by Servo 900C with a constant tidal volume (VT 10ml·kg-1) and frequency (respiratory rate 12 breaths·min-1) throughout the study. RESULTS: After starting peritoneal insufflation the PaCO2 showed a sudden increase during the initial 10 min of about 4 mmHg followed by a gradual increase thereafter. The increase in000123;ECO2 was about 30ml·min-1 (20%) on average during the initial 20 min, and a plateau was reached within 20-40 min after peritoneal insufflation. Neither VD/VT nor (A-a)DO2 showed significant changes during the study. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that (1) transperitoneal absorption of CO2 may be the main cause of hypercarbia, and the hypercarbia is not attributed to the increase in VD/VT; and (2) oxygenation is not impaired during pneumoperitoneum.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with acute idiopathic pandysautonomia].

Acute idiopathic pandysautonomia (AIPD) is a very rare disease with acute onset of impairment in the peripheral sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. We report the anesthetic management of a patient with AIPD undergoing bladder lithotomy and scrotum abscess drainage. A 64-year-old man had a severe orthostatic hypotension, and was extremely sensitive to intravenous norepinephrine because of denervation hypersensitivity. Before the surgery, the patient was sufficiently hydrated. We planned to administer a vasopressor (phenylephrine) and a vasodilator (nicardipine) at 1/10 of usual doses. After placement of a radial artery catheter, combined epidural and spinal anesthesia was performed with the patient in a right lateral position. Blood pressure decreased slightly after placing him in a supine position. However, no medication was needed, and the patient showed no perioperative complications.

[Anesthetic management of massive endobronchial hemorrhage after pulmonary embolectomy].

We report a case of massive endobronchial hemorrhage after pulmonary embolectomy. A 63-year-old woman underwent emergency pulmonary embolectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). During partial CPB, we found massive blood gushing out from the endotracheal tube. Approximately 2,000 ml of blood was aspirated in 10 minutes. To ensure adequate oxygenation, emergent percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) was started. After neutralization of heparin and the institution of 10 cmH2O of positive end-expiratory pressure, the bleeding diminished. Institution of PCPS allows performance of unhurried bronchoscopy to identify the actual bleeding point and to lavage the airway. In addition to this management, we administrated steroids and neutrophil elastase inhibitor to stabilize pulmonary capillary membrane. Without complications, the patient was extubated 2 days after operation and the following course was uneventful. Immediate institution of PEEP and pharmacological interventions to reduce pulmonary blood pressure were beneficial in arresting hemorrhage. The bleeding begins usually at the time of discontinuation of CPB. We should recognize the possible occurrence of endobronchial bleeding after pulmonary embolectomy and prepare to protect the airway and to maintain oxygenation and cardiac function.

[Skin burn after radiofrequency liver ablation of metastatic tumor].

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used to treat unresectable liver tumor. The authors described a case of RFA complicated by skin burn around a ground pad. A 70-year-old female underwent RFA of liver metastatic tumor under general anesthesia. Preoperatively, two ground pads were placed on the patient's right thigh and right calf after left lateral positioning. RFA was performed three times by 90 watts for 15 min each. At the end of surgery we noticed skin burn on the right thigh. It seems that electric current concentrated on the ground pad of the right thigh especially on the proximal side. In conclusion, two ground pads should be placed one on each thigh to distribute electric current.

[Anesthesia for a patient with Cockayne's syndrome].

Cockayne's syndrome is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive disorder, characterised by dwarfism and progressive physical and mental retardation. A case is described of a 6-year-old girl (height 75 cm, weight 5.0 kg) with Cockayne's syndrome who was scheduled for liver biopsy under general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced using 5% sevoflurane combined with 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen. After the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of 3.5% had been maintained for 10 minutes, laryngoscopy was attempted. The vocal cord was visualised and the trachea was intubated easily without muscle relaxant. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in oxygen. The procedure lasted for 13 minutes. The tracheal tube was removed uneventfully following the return of adequate spontaneous respiration and airway reflexes. There were no postoperative problems. Concerning Cockayne's syndrome, there have been some reports of difficult airway, laryngospasm, aspirations of gastric contents and others. It is important to prevent laryngospasm by keeping the adequate depth of anesthesia for endotracheal intubation.

[Anesthetic management of four pediatric patients with CCAM for pulmonary lobectomy].

We report perioperative management of four pediatric patients with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) for pulmonary lobectomy under general anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia. The patients were two newborn infants and two infants. A 23-day-old girl whose cyst contained air and a one-day-old girl whose cyst content was drained percutaneously before induction, showed uneventful courses during perioperative period. In a one-yr-old boy with a cyst filled with purulent material, the endotracheal tube became nearly occluded with copious purulent material during operative period, and the management of this case was extremely difficult. After this case, in the other infant case expected to have purulent cyst as the result of repetitive infection, we inserted 5 Fr Fogaty catheter into the orifice of the left inferior bronchus to protect the normal side. This case showed uneventful course during anesthesia. We conclude that anesthesiologists should choose proper airway management method depending on the nature of cystic fluid in these patients.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with oculopharyngodistal-myopathy].

Oculopharyngodistal-myopathy (OPDM) is an autosomal dominant, heredofamilial myopathy accompanied with slowly progressive ptosis and extraocular palsy, and weakness of the masseter, facial, and bulbar muscles, as well as distal involvement of the limbs starting around 40 years of age or later. A 54-year-old female with OPDM underwent resection of the uterus for uterus body cancer. We speculated the patient might be at the risk of aspiration pneumonia, prolonged respiratory depression, and malignant hyperthermia, and chose spinal and epidural anesthesia. The operation was performed successfully and the patient was discharged uneventfully.

[Regional anesthesia for a patient with stiff-person syndrome].

We report a case of stiff-person syndrome (SPS). A 65-year-old male underwent an emergency pacemaker implantation for syncope. With lidocaine infiltration under fentanyl and propofol sedation, the operation was completed without complications. Muscle rigidity and spasms are exacerbated by sensory and emotional stimuli in SPS. However, the present case suggests that regional anesthesia is also acceptable under adequate sedation.