Spontaneous recovery of paraplegia caused by spinal epidural hematoma after removal of epidural catheter.

We report a patient who developed paraplegia caused by a spinal epidural hematoma after removal of an epidural catheter, which resolved spontaneously. A 60-year-old woman underwent thoracoscopic partial resection of the left lung under general anesthesia combined with epidural anesthesia. She neither was coagulopathic nor had received anticoagulants. Paraplegia occurred 40 minutes after removal of the epidural catheter on the first postoperative day. Magnetic resonance images revealed a spinal epidural hematoma. Surgery was not required as the paraplegia gradually improved until, within 1 hour, it had completely resolved. Hypoesthesia had completely resolved by the third postoperative day.

[Hypoxia after cesarean section in a patient with myotonic dystrophy].

A 28-year-old woman, 35 week-pregnant, underwent emergency cesarean section. Although she had no apparent symptoms before the operation, myotonic dystrophy was suspected from physical examination and laboratory data. The anesthesiologist in charge recognized only high creatine kinase. Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was performed. During the operation and on the 1st postoperative day, Spo2 remained 99% with 3 l x min(-1) oxygen administration. However, on the 2nd postoperative day Spo2 decreased. The low Spo2 persisted for 4 days. Hypoventilation and difficulty in expectoration as a result of respiratory muscle weakness might have been the cause of the prolonged hypoxemia.

[Reversal of rocuronium induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex in a patient with myasthenia gravis].

We report a patient with myasthenia gravis whose rocuronium induced neuromuscular block was reversed with sugammadex. A 26-year-old man, 175 cm and 76 kg, with myasthenia gravis, was scheduled for extended thymectomy under general anesthesia. An epidural catheter was inserted at the T5-6 interspace before induction of general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil. Rocuronium was given in divided doses to obtain > 95% neuromuscular block to intubate the trachea. The ED50 and ED95 of rocuronium for this patient were 0.18 mg x kg(-1) and 0.39 mg x kg(-1), respectively. The values were similar to the ED50 and ED95 of rocuronium for normal patients. General anesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Additional doses of rocuronium were given intermittently. Sugammadex, 2 mg x kg(-1), was given at the end of the surgery. The train-of-four ratio reached 93% 105 sec later. His postoperative course was uneventful.

[Anesthetic management of total hysterectomy in a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism].

We report anesthetic management of a 38-year-old woman with pulmonary thromboembolism for total hysterectomy. She had been taking oral contraceptives for adenomyosis of the uterus. She had thrombi in the arteries from pulmonary trunk to bilateral main pulmonary arteries. Thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapies did not decrease the thrombi. Removal of the swollen uterus suspected to be the origin of the thrombi, rather than thromboembolectomy, was scheduled. Cannulation for percutaneous cardiopulmonary support was set up just in case of hemodynamic derangement, before the surgery. Cardiac contraction was evaluated with transesophageal echocardiography during the surgery. There was no untoward perioperative event. Pulmonary thromboembolectomy was not done because the postoperative CT revealed shrinkage of the pulmonary thrombi after anticoagulation treatment.

[Cardiac asystole in the postanesthetic care unit: a case report].

We report a patient without apparent heart disease who developed asystole postoperatively. A 24-year-old woman was scheduled for acetabulectomy under lumbar epidural anesthesia with intravenous propofol infusion. There was no profound hypotension or arrhythmia during anesthesia and surgery. She complained of nausea 50 minutes after the operation. The ECG showed an abrupt decrease in the heart rate followed by cardiac asystole 30 seconds after the onset of nausea. Prompt cardiac massage resumed the heart beats in eight seconds. There was no neurological deficit.

Restoration of Train-of-Four Ratio with Neostigmine After Insufficient Recovery with Sugammadex in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis.

We present a patient with myasthenia gravis in whom sugammadex failed to restore the train-of-four ratio (TOFR) sufficiently. When the patient's TOFR count had recovered to 2, we administered 2 mg/kg of sugammadex. However, the TOFR did not recover to the preoperative value. An additional 2 mg/kg of sugammadex also had no effect. We then administered 30 µg/kg of neostigmine which restored the TOFR to more than the preoperative value. We speculate that exacerbation of myasthenia symptoms during surgery interfered with recovery of TOFR after sugammadex administration.

Recovery of train-of-four ratio to 0.70 and 0.90 is delayed in type 2 diabetes with vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block.

CONTEXT: The recovery profile of train-of-four ratio to more than 0.70 in patients with diabetes mellitus has not been well investigated. OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to evaluate the spontaneous recovery profile of neuromuscular block by vecuronium until train-of-four ratio more than 0.90 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with controls, using first dorsal interosseous electromyography. DESIGN: Single-centre prospective case-control study. SETTING: The operating theatres of Fukuoka University Hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus group) and 14 control patients (control group) were included in this study. INTERVENTION: Evoked responses to train-of-four stimuli were measured by electromyography at the first dorsal interosseous muscle. General anaesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and remifentanil. Vecuronium (0.1  mg kg) was administered to all patients. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol, fentanyl and remifentanil. The neuromuscular block was assessed until spontaneous recovery to train-of-four ratio more than 0.90. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recovery times to train-of-four ratio 0.70 and 0.90. RESULTS: Recovery times to train-of-four ratio 0.70 and 0.90 were significantly longer in the diabetes mellitus group than the control group (P = 0.041 and P = 0.027, respectively). The time from train-of-four ratio 0.25 to 0.90 was also significantly longer in the diabetes mellitus group than the control group (P = 0.029). In five of 14 patients in the diabetes mellitus group, the time from train-of-four ratio 0.25 to 0.90 was longer than 60  min, which is longer than the duration of action of neostigmine. The time from train-of-four ratio 0.25 to 0.90 was longer than 60  min in only one of 14 in the control group. CONCLUSION: Recovery times to train-of-four ratio 0.70 and 0.90 were delayed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Neuromuscular block by vecuronium should be carefully monitored in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus until recovery of train-of-four ratio to a safe level is confirmed.

[Unilateral temporary meralgia paresthetica after caesarean section: report of a case].

We report a patient who developed unilateral temporary meralgia paresthetica after caesarean section. A 28-year-old morbidly obese woman underwent caesarean section under combined spinal and epidural anesthesia. Intraoperative position was 5-degree head down lithotomy position. She noted pain and hypesthesia along the anterolateral aspect of the right thigh on the second postoperative day, when postoperative continuous epidural analgesia was stopped. The pain and sensory impairment resolved 8 days after surgery without medications.

[Surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis].

Fundamental treatment for acute cholecystitis is cholecystectomy. However, the adoption of a treatment is dependend on degree of a severity of acute cholecystitis in each patient because its degree is influenced by factors such as duration from the onset of symptoms to medical examination. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred procedure for mild acute cholecystitis. Early cholecystectomy is also performed for moderately acute cholecystitis. However, if patients have severe local inflammation (gangrenous and purulent cholecystitis) early gallbladder drainage or open cholecystectomy is indicated. Emergency operation under adequate medical treatment is indicated for a patient with severe local inflammation of the gallbladder, torsion of the gallbladder, emphysematous cholecystitis, gangrenous cholecystitis, and purulent cholecystitis. Pericholecystic abscess, necrosis of the gallbladder wall, and perforation of the gallbladder can be diagnosed accurately by use of imaging diagnosis. The optimal surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis according to grade of severity should be performed referring to imaging findings.

[Hypoxemia caused by retention of irrigation fluid to detect leaks from the lungs during subtotal esophagectomy].

We report a patient who developed hypoxemia caused by retention of irrigation fluid used to detect leaks from the lungs during subtotal esophagectomy. A 58-year-old man developed a sudden onset of hypoxemia with a decrease in tidal volume during subtotal esophagectomy. Chest X-ray revealed a homogeneous opacity of the left lung field, suggesting the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity on the left. The tidal volume and SpO2 increased after drainage of the fluid from the left pleural cavity. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 16th postoperative day.

[Atelectasis after induction of general anesthesia in an infant with cleft palate].

We report an infant with cleft palate who developed atelectasis as a result of aspiration of food residue after induction of general anesthesia. A 12-month-old girl with cleft palate was scheduled for palatoplasty. The trachea was intubated after 6.5-hour fasting. Breath sounds were not audible on the left. Chest X-ray demonstrated complete atelectasis of the left lung. Bronchoscopy revealed that the left primary bronchus was blocked by a white stick. Pathological examination showed that the white stick consisted of milk residue with abundant candida species. It was speculated that the milk residue accumulated in the cleft palate had been aspirated during induction of general anesthesia.

[Rhabdomyolysis after prolonged surgery in lateral decubitus position].

We report an obese patient who developed rhabdomyolysis after prolonged surgery in lateral decubitus position. A 55-year-old woman, with a body mass index of 29.3 kg x m(-2), underwent removal of an acoustic neurinoma in lateral decubitus position which lasted 20 hours. There was no intraoperative muscle rigidity, redness of the urine or rapid elevation of PET(CO2) and body temperature. The patient developed skin ulcer in the left flank after the surgery. There were elevated levels of serum creatinine phosphokinase, AST, ALT, and myoglobin in the urine. CT of the abdomen taken two days after the surgery suggested the presence of rhabdomyolysis of the transverse abdominal muscles.

[Management of drugs used by anesthesiologists in the operating room].

We report the results of reviews by pharmacists of clerical errors in drugs used in the operating room by anesthesiologists from August 2005 to March 2007 at Fukuoka University Hospital. During the period, 9907 surgical patients were managed by anesthesiologists. There were 4868 clerical errors by anesthesiologists. Failed description of used drugs was the most frequent error (n=3,777). One medication error was detected by the review. The review of used drugs in the operating room by pharmacists can prevent financial loss and improve patients' safety.

[Postherpetic neuralgia].

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two clinically distinct diseases: varicella and herpes zoster. Herpes zoster, recurrent infection of VZV occurs when the cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines. Since the cell-medicated immunity to VZV declines with aging, herpes zoster occurs more frequently in the elderly. Most frequent and dreaded complication of herpes zoster is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The first line of treatment of PHN is medication with tricyclic antidipressants and anticonvulsants. Double-blind studies showed that effective tricyclic antidepressants for the treatment of PHN are amitriptyline and nortriptyline, and effective anticonvulsants gabapentin and pregabalin. When tricyclic antidepressant and/or anticonvulsant cannot relieve PHN, opioids should be considered in some selected patients. Although neuroablative procedures have been performed for the treatment of PHN, their effectiveness was not confirmed by double-blind studies. They rather aggravate PHN with time. Recent research with a live attenuated varicella vaccine to prevent herpes zoster indicated that the vaccine decreased the occurrence of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia by almost half as compared with placebo. Vaccination of high risk subjects with the varicella vaccine seems to be the most effective measure for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia.

[Spontaneous spinal subdural and epidural haematoma in a pregnant patient].

We report a pregnant woman who developed non-traumatic spinal subdural and epidural hematoma. A 31-year-old woman at 28 weeks of gestation developed progressive ascending paralysis. MRI suggested the presence of spinal subdural hematoma at T4-6 and spinal epidural hematoma at T4-9. An emergency cesarean section followed by spinal decompression was performed 60 hours after the onset. The patient's neulogical function recovered completely after the surgey.

[Postoperative contralateral brachial plexus palsy after prolonged operation in lateral decubitus position].

We report a patient who developed postoperative contralateral brachial plexus palsy after prolonged surgery in lateral decubitus position. A 58-year-old man underwent hepatectomy because of metastatic liver tumor in left decubitus position. The surgical table was rotated anteriorly at 15 degrees. The surgery lasted for 7 hours and 50 minutes. After the surgery, he complained of limited arm elevation, hypesthesia of the arm, impaired flexion and extension of the elbow, on the right. These sensory and motor impairements resolved after rehabilitation for 7 days.

[Landmark method and ultrasound-guided method of internal jugular vein puncture: comparison of residents with staffs].

BACKGROUND: We compared landmark with ultrasound-guided methods of internal jugular vein puncture in residents and staffs. METHODS: Seven residents and five staffs practiced internal jugular vein puncture with landmark and ultrasound-guided methods on a manikin for internal jugular vein cannulation. Thereafter, they performed internal jugular vein cannulation on 42 patients. RESULTS: Number of attempts of internal jugular vein cannulation by the residents was significantly lower with ultrasound-guided method than with landmark method. Three internal jugular veins could not be cannulated by residents with landmark method. The common carotid artery was punctured in one case with either method by residents. CONCLUSIONS: Residents need more practice of internal jugular vein puncture on a manikin before clinical practice.

[Intraoperative ventricular or supraventricular tachycardia? A case report].

A 68-year-old man with a history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed wide QRS complex tachycardia one minute after induction of general anesthesia. As the wide QRS complex tachycardia appeared to be ventricular and pulsation of the radial artery could not be felt, intravenous antiarrhythmic drugs were given. Surgery was postponed. Postoperative electrophysiological study revealed ectopic atrial tachycardia. Catheter abration was performed. Regular P waves were noticed by precise review of the intraoperative electrocardiogram. The intraoperative tachycardia was thought to be supraventricular in origin.

[Complications of internal jugular vein cannulation under ultrasound guidance: report of three].

Internal jugular cannulation with ultrasound guidance has been advocated to decrease its complications. However, there can be serious complications by in-experienced physicians in even ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation. We report three cases of complications associated with ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein cannulation: puncture of the common carotid artery in two patients and pneumothorax in one.

[Monitoring of muscle relaxation at the corrugator supercilli muscle in a patient with atrophied upper limbs].

We report a patient whose muscle relaxation was monitored at the corrugator supercilli muscle. In a 51-year-old woman with markedly atrophied upper limbs, anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl. Muscle relaxation was monitored at the adductor pollicis and corrugator supercilli muscles with accelomyography. Train-of-four ratio (TOFR) could be evaluated at the corrugator supercilli muscle; however, it could not be evaluated at the adductor pollicis muscle. The trachea was intubated when the TOFR was 0.09 at the corrugator supercilli muscle after intravenous vecuronium. As the TOFR was 1.44 when the surgery completed, the trachea was extubated without giving neostigmine to antagonize the effect of vecuronium. There was no recurarization after extubation. We conclude that evaluation of TOFR at the corrugator supercilli muscle is useful in some patients who have atrophied adductor pollicis muscle.