Custodiol® Supplemented with Synthetic Human Relaxin Decreases Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury after Porcine Kidney Transplantation.

Objective. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable after kidney transplantation (KT), impairing outcomes. Relaxin-2 (RLX) is a promising insulin-related peptide hormone that protects against renal IRI in rodents, although large animal models are needed before RLX can be tested in a human setting. Methods. In this blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled experimental study kidneys from 19 donor pigs were retrieved after perfusion with Custodiol® ± RLX (5 or 20 nmol/L) and underwent static cold storage (SCS) for 24 and 48 h, respectively. Subsequently, KT was performed after unilateral right nephrectomy. Study outcomes included markers for kidney function, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and endothelial cell damage. PCR analysis for oxidative stress and apoptosis-related gene panels as well as immunohistochemistry were performed. Results. RLX upregulated SOD2 and NFKB expression to 135% (p = 0.042) and 125% (p = 0.019), respectively, while RIPK1 expression was downregulated to 82% (p = 0.016) of corresponding controls. Further RLX significantly downregulated RIPK1 and MLKL expression and decreased the number of Caspase 3- and MPO-positive cells in grafts after SCS. Conclusions. RLX supplemented Custodiol® significantly decreased IRI via both antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Clinical trials are warranted to implement synthetic human RLX as a novel additive to preservation solutions against IRI.

Using chloroprocaine for spinal anaesthesia in outpatient knee-arthroscopy results in earlier discharge and improved operating room efficiency compared to mepivacaine and prilocaine.

PURPOSE: Knee arthroscopies are regularly carried out in an outpatient setting. The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the impact of different local anaesthetics for spinal anaesthesia on operating room efficiency (perioperative process times) and postoperative recovery. This study aims to determine the optimal LA for SPA in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy at a day-surgery centre. METHODS: Anaesthesia records of all patients undergoing knee arthroscopy under spinal anaesthesia from 2010 until 2017 were analysed. Patients were categorised as having received spinal anaesthesia with prilocaine, mepivacaine or chloroprocaine. RESULTS: Three-hundred and nine patients were included. Postoperative recovery was significantly faster for chloroprocaine 1% compared with both other local anaesthetics regarding all stages of recovery until discharge. Perioperative processes and surgery time were significantly shorter when chloroprocaine was used. Early postoperative pain occurred more frequently and earlier after spinal anaesthesia with chloroprocaine. Nevertheless, pain intensity did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Spinal anaesthesia provides reliable blocks for outpatient knee arthroscopy. Considerations on the choice of local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia must include not only the recovery profile, but also the impact on operating room efficiency. Due to a superior recovery profile, low incidences of adverse side effects and raised operating room efficiency, chloroprocaine is the recommendable local anaesthetic for spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy in an ambulatory setting. Since the frequency of SPA in patients undergoing outpatient knee arthroscopy is rising yearly, the results of this study are of high clinical relevance. The use of chloroprocaine leads to improved recovery, optimized perioperative processes and consecutively to a raised OR efficiency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Dolor lumbar somático tratado con terapia neural y ozono paravertebral / Somatic low back pain treated with neural therapy and paravertebral ozone

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general evaluar el efecto de la terapia neural e infiltración paravertebral segmentaria con ozono en el dolor lumbar somático de los pacientes que asistieron a la consulta de terapia del dolor en el Hospital Dr. Pedro García Clara, Ciudad Ojeda Estado Zulia-Venezuela, en el periodo comprendido del 01 de abril al 31 de mayo del 2016. Fue un estudio prospectivo, explicativo-comparativo y el diseño fue cuasi-experimental. Se seleccionaron 60 pacientes de ambos sexos entre edades comprendidas de 18 a 60 años, se dividieron en dos grupos de 30 pacientes, al primer grupo denominado A, se le realizó terapia neural segmentaria lumbar utilizando procaína al 1% y consecutivamente se le aplicó infiltración paravertebral con ozono a una concentración de 15ug; y al grupo B, se le realizó terapia neural con lidocaína al 1% y posteriormente se le aplicó la infiltración paravertebral con ozono a una concentración de 15ug, ambos grupos con un volumen de 10mL. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial, específicamente la prueba t de Student para las muestras relacionadas. Resultados: indicaron que en ambas terapias, al evaluar el dolor con la escala visual análoga, se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05), en ambos grupos. Conclusiones: no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas con respecto a los cambios hemodinámicos y la disminución del dolor fue significativa en ambos grupos, pero más notable en el grupo A(AU)

The present study was aimed at evaluating the overall effect of neural therapy and segmental paravertebral ozone infiltration in lumbar somatic pain patients attending the consultation of pain therapy Dr. Pedro Garcia Clara Hospital of Ciudad Ojeda Estado Zulia-Venezuela, in the period from 01 April to 31 May 2016. It was a comparative-explanatory, prospective study design was quasi-experimental, 60 patients of either sex between aged from 18 to 60 years were selected, they were divided into two groups of 30 patients, the first group called A, underwent neural therapy lumbar segmental using procaine 1% and consecutively was applied paravertebral infiltration with ozone at a concentration of 15ug; and group B, underwent neural therapy with lidocaine 1% and was subsequently applied the paravertebral infiltration with ozone at a concentration of 15ug, both groups with a volume of 10mL. For data analysis the mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics, specifically the Student t test for related samples was used. Results: indicated that both therapies, to assess pain with visual analogue scale, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in both groups. Conclusions: There were no statistically significant differences with respect to hemodynamic changes and pain reduction was significant in both groups, but more remarkable in group A(AU)

Degree of corneal anaesthesia after topical application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride and 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in clinically normal cattle.

OBJECTIVES: The use of corneal anaesthesia is necessary for a range of clinical purposes. Therefore, we assessed and compared the efficacy of corneal anaesthesia after application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride and 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in clinically normal cattle. METHODS: The 24 clinically normal cows were allocated into two groups. Cows in group 1 (n = 12) received 0.2 mL of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride with fluorescein ophthalmic solution in one eye and 0.2 mL of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) with fluorescein in the contralateral eye (control). Group 2 (n = 12) received 0.2 mL of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride with fluorescein ophthalmic solution in one eye and 0.2 mL of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride with fluorescein in the contralateral eye (control). In each group, corneal touch threshold was determined by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer for both eyes immediately prior to topical administration of solutions, at 1 min and 5 min after administration of topical solutions and every 5 min thereafter for a total of 75 min. RESULTS: Significant corneal anaesthesia was noted immediately following topical application of both oxybuprocaine and proparacaine as compared with controls, with maximal corneal anaesthesia noted 1 min after administration. Both oxybuprocaine and proparacaine produced significant corneal anaesthesia for the duration of the 75-min study. Neither oxybuprocaine hydrochloride nor proparacaine hydrochloride treatment resulted in visible adverse effects. CONCLUSION: There are limited data available demonstrating the efficacy and duration of corneal anaesthetic agents in cattle. Both oxybuprocaine hydrochloride and proparacaine hydrochloride should be considered practical options for providing corneal anaesthesia in cattle in a clinical setting.

Dolor persistente posparto. Tratamiento con procaína subdérmica (terapia neural) / Postpartumchronic pain. Subderma/ procaine treatment - neura/ therapy

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad de la administración de procaína subdérmica en bajas dosis en la cicatriz del parto vaginal o por cesárea para el alivio del dolor persistente posparto. Pacientes, material y métodos: Estudio observacional y prospectivo de abril de 2014 a marzo de 2016, en mujeres con dolor persistente después de 10 días posparto. Se valoraron: variables demográficas, variables clínicas y obstétricas, motivo de consulta, grado del dolor según la escala visual analógica (EVA), y número de dosis de tratamiento recibidas y coste por dosis. El tratamiento utilizado fue la inyección subdérmica con procaína (1 mg/kg) en sesiones quincenales, hasta conseguir un dolor ≤1 según la EVA. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 168 mujeres. La media de dolor antes del tratamiento fue de 5,52 en la escala EVA y de 0,17 al final, con una p <0,001. La edad mostró diferencias significativas interpacientes con una p <0,001, donde las pacientes mayores de 40 años tuvieron una valoración inicial del dolor más alta y por tanto necesitaron más sesiones, aunque también consiguieron un grado de dolor ≤1. El 80,9% de las pacientes terminaron el tratamiento a los 30 días con la tercera sesión. CONCLUSIÓN: La aplicación de procaína subdérmica está asociada a la disminución del dolor persistente posparto

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effectiveness of low doses of subdermal procaine administered into vaginal labor and C-section scars to alleviate persistent postpartum pain. Subjects, materials and methodology: Observational and prospective study carried out from April 2014 to March 2016 in I 71 women suffering from persistent pain after 10 days of postpartum. Variables taken into account: demographics, clinical and obstetric differences, pain level according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), amount of doses of treatment, and cost per dose. The treatment used was one subdermal injection of procaine ( I mg/kg) every two weeks until achieving a pain level of s I according to the VAS. RESULTS: 168 women were studied. The average pain level before treatment was 5.52 according to the VAS, and 0.17 after treatment (p < 0.00 I ). Age was one of the most significant differences among patients with a p < 0.001. Patients over 40 assessed their initial pain at a higher level and therefore needed more doses. However, they also achieved a pain level of ≤ 1.80.9% of patients finished their treatment after 30 days with their third dose. CONCLUSION: Applying subdermal procaine has shown to be effective in treating persistent postpartum pain

Tongue piercing and chronic abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting--two cases.

Chronic upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of unclear etiology are frustrating to patients and physicians alike. The integrative medicine procedures of acupuncture and neural therapy may provide treatment options. Tongue piercing, which is prevalent in 5.6% of the adolescent population, may be a contributing factor in upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) To demonstrate the usefulness of an integrative medicine treatment approach in two cases of patients with chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting of unclear etiology who had failed standard medical management. (2) To identify scars from tongue piercings as a possible contributing factor in chronic upper GI symptoms of unclear etiology. Two retrospective case studies are presented of young adult females who were seen in a private multi-physician integrative medicine practice in the US. The patients were treated with neural therapy and acupuncture. The desired outcome was the cessation or reduction of the frequency of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Both patients had resolution of their symptoms. From this study, we have concluded the following: (1) Tongue scars from tongue rings may be causes of chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms. (2) Neural therapy and acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of chronic upper GI symptoms related to tongue scars.

Anestesia regional intravenosa con anestésicos locales de larga duración. Actualización / Intravenous regional anesthesia with long-acting local anesthetics. An update

La anestesia regional intravenosa es una técnica ampliamente utilizada en intervenciones quirúrgicas de poca duración, especialmente en las extremidades superiores, y menos frecuentemente en las inferiores. Su primera aparición data de principios del siglo xx, cuando Bier inyectó procaína como anestésico local. La ejecución de esta técnica como anestesia quirúrgica no ha cambiado mucho desde entonces, si bien diversos fármacos, particularmente anestésicos locales de larga duración como ropivacaína y levobupivacaína en bajas concentraciones, han sido introducidos en la práctica clínica. Además, fármacos como opioides, bloqueantes neuromusculares, paracetamol, neostigmina, magnesio, ketamina, keterolaco y clonidina han sido investigados como complementarios a los anestésicos locales, y parecen aportar beneficios en cuanto al inicio de la anestesia y una más larga duración de la analgesia perioperatoria. Este artículo de revisión intenta dar una visión global de los conocimientos actuales en anestésicos locales de larga duración para anestesia regional intravenosa (AU)

Intravenous regional anesthesia is a widely used technique for brief surgical interventions, primarily on the upper limbs and less frequently, on the lower limbs. It began being used at the beginning of the 20th century, when Bier injected procaine as a local anesthetic. The technique to accomplish anesthesia has not changed much since then, although different drugs, particularly long-acting local anesthetics, such as ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in low concentrations, were introduced. Additionally, drugs like opioids, muscle relaxants, paracetamol, neostigmine, magnesium, ketamine, clonidine, and ketorolac, have all been investigated as adjuncts to intravenous regional anesthesia, and were found to be fairly useful in terms of an increased onset of operative anesthesia and longer lasting perioperative analgesia. The present article provides an overview of current knowledge with emphasis on long-acting local anesthetic drugs (AU)

[The influence of procaine electrophoresis and mesotherapy on the indices of body components and biochemical characteristics in the subjects above 30 years of age].

This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of a 2% procaine solution given with a view to improving metabolic parameters of aging, such as the body weight and composition along with the lipid profile in the patients varying in age from 30 years to 75 years. The study involved 95 patients treated with a 2% procaine solution that was administered by different methods (electrophoresis and mesotherapy) into several points of the collar region and upper back. The control group was comprised of the patients who received placebo by means of galvanization and mesotherapy. The results of the study indicate that the introduction of a 2% procaine solution in the treatment of metabolic disorders effectively improves selected metabolic characteristics of ageing and thereby helps to reduce the biological age in comparison with the control patients treated with placebo.

[Ozone therapy efficiency and gerovital H3 as an additional way to the complex treatment of periodontal disease]. / Eficienta terapiei cu ozon si de stimulare cu gerovital H3 CA mijloc adjuvant al tratamentului complex in boala parodontala.

UNLABELLED: The authors present the methodology of the ozone use and a method of chemical stimulation with Gerovital H3, applied within a complex therapy of the periodontal disease. Its efficiency is argued by the clinical images taken from the oral cavity and radiographic images of the patients with periodontal disease in various evolution stages. RESULTS: The images reveal the possibility of stopping the progressive disease and the improvement of the clinical aspect of the marginal periodontium. The X-ray images reveal the possibility of re-mineralization of the alveolar bone and healing processes in certain areas, at different periods of time. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable results are associated firstly with compliant patients that benefit of treatment planning elaborated after a correct evaluation of the clinical situation. The results prove the strong oxidant and antibacterial effects of ozone as well as the regenerative and biotrophic action of Gerovital H3 in periodontal tissues for patients with early and advanced periodontal disease.

The effect of local anaesthetic on age-related capsaicin-induced mechanical hyperalgesia--a randomised, controlled study.

Adults over 65 years exhibit a prolonged punctate hyperalgesia induced by topical application of capsaicin. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of peripheral afferent input in the slowed resolution of punctate hyperalgesia in older people. Twenty young (25.7+/-4.8 years) and 19 old (74.9+/-4.4 years) healthy adults were recruited, and subjects in each age group were randomly assigned to receive either EMLA cream (a local anaesthetic) (n=10 in each age group) or Sorbolene treatment (n=9 in the older group, n=10 in the young group) after the development of punctate hyperalgesia. EMLA cream blocked punctate sensation and greatly reduced touch and warmth sensation. In comparison to Sorbolene treatment, EMLA abolished stroking but not punctate hyperalgesia in both age groups. The area of punctate hyperalgesia was maintained in older adults over 4 h, while it declined in the young. Older adults also reported reduced ratings to capsaicin-induced sensation and to stroking stimulation, and had a smaller area of stroking hyperalgesia. Ratings to punctate stimulation did not, however, differ between the age groups. Stoicism and cautiousness measured with Pain Attitude Questionnaire were negatively correlated with highest pain rating in the young, but not in the older groups. We suggest that the prolonged punctate hyperalgesia in older adults is possibly sustained by central mechanisms, indicating age differences in central plasticity following acute injury. The relationship between such age-related changes and the chronicity of pain in older adults should be further explored.

Hipertensión severa y taquicardia por bloqueo del ganglio estrellado: a propósito de un caso / Severe hypertension and tachycardia after a stellate blockage: a case report

El bloqueo de ganglio estrellado es un procedimiento frecuentemente utilizado para aliviar los dolores crónicos del miembro superior, cabeza y cuello. Las complicaciones de este procedimiento son poco frecuentes y de presentarse suelen ser leves y tener una corta duración; entre las más comunes están la ronquera temporal y hematomas. Debido a que el ganglio estrellado se encuentra anatómicamente cerca de estructuras importantes como los nervios frénicos, larínge o recurrente, vago y grandes arterias, la distribución del anestésico aplicado pueden afectar más de una estructura. A continuación se describe el caso clínico de una mujer de 39años con síndrome doloroso regional complejo (SDRC) en su extremidad superior derecha. Se le realizó un bloqueo de ganglio estrellado con 10 ml de procaína al 1 % sin epinefrina y minutos después presentó taquicardia e hipertensión severas, la presión arterial incrementó de 135/80 a 235/135 mmHg. Se han descrito en la literatura pocos casos de hipertensión severa y taquicardia después de un bloqueo de ganglio estrellado. El anestésico local utilizado pudo haberse diseminado hacia las estructuras del cuello cercanas al ganglio, las cuales juegan un papel importante en el mantenimiento de la presión arterial, tales como el seno carotideo, el nervio glosofaríngeo y el vago; el bloqueo pudo haber producido una actividad simpática sin oposición (AU)

Stellate Ganglion Block is a procedure frequently used toalleviate chronic pain from the upper limb, head and neck. Complications of this procedure are uncommon but when they occur generally have a mild severity and short duration. The most reported complications are: temporal dysphony and hematomas. Because the stellate ganglion is near important structures of the neck; such as the phrenic, laryngeal and vagusnerves and big arteries, the distribution of local anesthetic can affect one or more of these structures. We describe the clinical case of a 39 years old woman with complex regional pain syndrome in the left upper limb. A stellate ganglion block was perform with 10 ml of procaine 1% without epinephrine, some minutes later she develops a severe hypertension and tachycardia, the arterial pressure of the patient increased from135/80 to 235/135 mm Hg. Few cases of severe hypertension and tachycardia after stellate ganglion block have been reported in literature. The anesthetic may have disseminated to structures in the neck that play an important function in the maintenance of the arterial pressure, such as the carotid sinus and glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. The blockage may have produced an unopposed sympathetic activity (AU)

Clinical efficacy of neural therapy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in dogs.

The aim of this trial was to assess the clinical efficacy of neural therapy (NT) when treating canine atopic dermatitis. Eighteen dogs (no control group), with at least a 12-month history of having nonseasonal atopic dermatitis, were included. No medication with either glucocorticoids or cyclosporin was allowed during the trial. One set of NT was given by injecting an intravenous dose of 0.1 mg/kg of a 0.7% procaine solution, followed by 10 to 25 intradermal injections of the same solution in a volume of 0.1-0.3 mL per site. Dogs were given 6-13 sets of NT during the therapy. The dermatological condition of each patient was evaluated before and after the treatment using two scales: the pruritus visual analogue scale (PVAS) and the canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI). The reduction of pruritus was statistically significant using a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test (P < 0.001). No adverse side effects were observed. NT seems to be an effective alternative to control signs related to canine atopic dermatitis.

Low-dose histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution for myocardial protection.

The effect of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution for myocardial protection has been shown in experimental and clinical studies using long ischemic times and high dosages. In our study we compared myocardial protection in isolated coronary bypass with a short period of ischemia using low dosage HTK and cold crystalloid cardioplegia. Each group contained 21 coronary artery disease patients. Cardioplegic solutions were administered antegrade in 10 to 15 mL/kg in one shot. This dosage of HTK was lower than that mentioned in the literature. We measured malondialdehyde, lactate, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, and troponin-I levels. Aortic clamping time in the HTK group 33.9 +/- 8.2 minutes, versus 36.2 +/- 11.3 minutes in the crystalloid cardioplegia group (P > .05). Levels of creatine kinase and malondialdehyde were lower in HTK group at 24 hours and 2 minutes, respectively. Lactate levels were lower in the crystalloid cardioplegia group at 2 minutes in the coronary sinus serum sample, but there were no statistically differences among ischemic serum markers in both groups. Only intervals between aortic clamping and cardiac arrest were statistically meaningful (HTK 63.3 +/- 14.7 seconds versus crystalloid cardioplegia 53.6 +/- 15.6 seconds, P = .044). Our study shows that use of low-dose HTK for short clamping time operations is as successful for myocardial protection as crystalloid cardioplegia. Longer times for fibrillation can be explained with the low levels of potassium in HTK solution, but this length did not cause a biochemical or clinical difference.

Procaine oral stabilised--Samaritan pharmaceuticals: SP-01, SP001.

Samaritan Pharmaceuticals (formerly Steroidogenesis Inhibitors) is developing a high-dose oral stabilised formulation of procaine hydrochloride [AnticortSP 01, SP001, Virucort] as an anticortisol drug for the treatment of HIV and AIDS. Preclinical investigations for its potential in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease are also underway with Samaritan. The levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, are increased in many diseases, including AIDS. Serum cortisol levels are elevated during all stages of HIV infection, particularly in AIDS patients, whereas dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels are higher in the early stages of disease rather than in the advanced stages. Anticortisol drugs have been shown to reduce both the infectivity and the production of HIV in vitro. Anticort is available for licensing. Altachem Pharma had an exclusive licence to manufacture, use, distribute and sell oral procaine in Canada with an option to purchase the same rights for other Commonwealth countries. However, this agreement has been terminated. Cato Research in the US has been enlisted to implement a long-range clinical and business development plan to facilitate US FDA approval and manufacturing of the procaine formulation worldwide. Altachem Pharma received approval to begin a phase I trial of Anticort in Canada in HIV-positive patients receiving anti-HIV treatment. In January 2004, Cortisol Research International-Romania filed for orphan drug designation with the US FDA for Virucort 50 for the treatment of depression in children with HIV. A study examining the efficacy of Anticort in children infected with HIV has been conducted in Romania. One aspect of this study will investigate the possibility of reducing the dosage of zidovudine required if it is used in combination with Anticort. Following early indications that children treated with placebo in this trial have deteriorated while some children under the Anticort have shown improvements, especially in the 150-200mg group, Romanian clinicians have asked the Romanian FDA Commissioner for approval to switch children receiving placebo to receive Anticort.

[Differentiation of peripheral and central hyperalgesic effects of systemic procaine]. / Differenzierung peripherer und zentraler antihyperalgetischer Effekte einer systemischen Procaindauerinfusion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to differentiate between the peripheral and central analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties of systemic procaine hydrochloride in standardized human pain models. METHOD: Subcutaneous injections of either 150 mg procaine hydrochloride or saline solution were administered at intervals of 2 weeks on a randomized and double blind basis. During the 90-min infusion and subsequent 60-min monitoring periods, touch sensitivity was determined and in addition two experimental hyperalgesic models were analyzed. RESULTS: While touch sensitivity was not affected by procaine hydrochloride, development of primary mechanical hyperalgesia was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: The concentration of procaine hydrochloride used in our experiment elicited peripheral antihyperalgesic effects without central venous side effects. These results can account for the clinical effect of low-dose procaine hydrochloride in pain conditions exhibiting pronounced hyperalgesia.

[Nonorganic pain -- only psychogenic?]. / Organisch nicht erklärbare Schmerzen--alles psychisch?.

Many chronic pain conditions cannot be classified correctly into the actual categories of nociceptive, neuropathic, or psychogenic pain. The experience that a therapeutic influence on the vegetative nervous system often improves these pains or induces healing of them suggests a classification into four pain types. The inclusion of the autonomic component in the appreciation, and the treatment of chronic pain conditions using measures acting on the vegetative nervous system (such as local anesthetics in the neural therapy of Huneke) will consistently enlarge and improve the understanding and the outcome in pain therapy.