Introduction of pulsed radiofrequency cautery in infraorbital nerve block method for postoperative pain management of trauma-induced zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture reduction.

Although various cases of neuralgia and its treatments have been reported, not enough evidence is present to recommend a single type of treatment as the most effective. The patient we have dealt with experienced significant interferences in his daily life due to chronic allodynia, but the symptom could not be resolved via previously reported treatments. We report a case of which a patient who presented infraorbital neuralgia after trauma was successfully treated by a novel treatment strategy. The patient was treated by applying infraorbital nerve block and pulsed radiofrequency cautery side by side. Through this report, we evaluate proper prevention and treatment strategies for patients who develop infraorbital neuralgia through similar etiologies.

Effect of fentanyl nasal packing treatment on patients with acute postoperative pain after closed reduction of nasal bone fracture: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Nasal bone fracture reduction surgery is normally followed by nasal packing to control bleeding. Yet, patients suffer from pain and require further analgesic treatments following nasal packing and removal. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fentanyl-soaked packing as a method of controlling pain after nasal surgeries in a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty-five patients that have undergone closed nasal bone fracture reduction surgery were included in this study. Thirty-two patients were treated postoperatively with 50 mcg fentanyl-soaked Merocel®, a biodegradable synthetic polyurethane foams packing, and the other 33 patients were treated with saline-soaked packings. To analyze the relative nasal pain control effect of fentanyl, Numeric Rating Scale, patient satisfaction and Ramsay Sedation Scale were used. Patients were closely monitored to record relevant cardiopulmonary indicators and degree of adverse symptoms such as headache or sore throat. RESULTS: Fentanyl group had a significantly lower Numeric Rating Scale and higher patient satisfaction for most of the time periods after operation (p < .05). Symptoms of headache and sore throat were also significantly reduced. Ramsay Sedation Scale scores improved compared to the control group (p < .05). No significant differences in cardiopulmonary relevant indicators between the two experimental groups were observed (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Fentanyl-soaked packing significantly decreased postoperative pain with no observable adverse effects. Our results demonstrate that topical fentanyl application to nasal packing is an effective method of postoperative pain control after closed nasal bone fracture reduction surgery.

The effects of adjuvant intrathecal fentanyl on postoperative pain and rebound pain for anorectal surgery under saddle anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Intrathecal opioid has been known to enhance the quality and prolong the duration of spinal anesthesia, as well as to reduce postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesic characteristics of intrathecal fentanyl for the first 48 hours after anorectal surgery under saddle anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty patients were recruited in our study. Forty patients were randomly allocated to group B that received 0.5% bupivacaine 5 mg with 0.3 ml normal saline. The other 40 patients were assigned to group BF which was given 0.5% bupivacaine 5 mg with fentanyl 15 µg. The primary outcome variable was a numeric rating scale (NRS) at six hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included changes in the NRS score between one and 48 hours postoperatively, consumption of rescue analgesics, and the frequency of rebound pain. RESULTS: Group BF exhibited a lower mean NRS score at postoperative six hours compared to group B (P < 0.001). However, the mean NRS score was not different after postoperative six hours between the two groups. The median consumption of rescue analgesics in group BF was less than that of group B (P = 0.028) and the frequency of rebound pain decreased in group BF when compared to group B (P = 0.021). The levels of sensory block were S1 dermatome and motor block scores were 0 for both groups. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal fentanyl 15 µg for anorectal surgery under saddle anesthesia led to an improved pain score for the first six hours after surgery and decreased postoperative analgesic use. Rebound pain diminished with intrathecal fentanyl and adverse effects did not increase.

Iatrogenic Development of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage in Diagnosing Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension.

A 34-year-old woman came to the emergency room complaining of a severe orthostatic headache. Results of a cerebrospinal fluid tap and brain computed tomography were normal. Based on her history and symptoms, she was found to have spontaneous intracranial hypotension. She was hospitalized and her symptoms improved with conservative treatment. On the next day, her headache suddenly worsened. Cisternography was performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the spinal level of her cerebrospinal fluid leak. It revealed multiple cerebrospinal fluid leaks in the lumbar and upper thoracic regions. It was strongly believed that she had an iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak in the lumbar region. An epidural blood patch was performed level by level on the lumbar and upper thoracic regions. Her symptoms resolved after the epidural blood patch and she was later discharged without any complications. In this case, an iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak was caused by a dural puncture made while diagnosing spontaneous intracranial hypotension, which is always a risk and hampers the patient's progress. Therefore, in cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, an effort to minimize dural punctures is needed and a non-invasive test such as magnetic resonance imaging should be considered first.

Airway obstruction by dissection of the inner layer of a reinforced endotracheal tube in a patient with Ludwig's angina: A case report.

Intraoperative airway obstruction is perplexing to anesthesiologists because the patient may fall into danger rapidly. A 74-year-old woman underwent an emergency incision and drainage for a deep neck infection of dental origin. She was orally intubated with a 6. 0 mm internal diameter reinforced endotracheal tube by video laryngoscope using volatile induction and maintenance anesthesia (VIMA) with sevoflurane, fentanyl (100 µg), and succinylcholine (75 mg). During surgery, peak inspiratory pressure increased from 22 to 38 cmH2O and plateau pressure increased from 20 to 28 cmH2O. We maintained anesthesia because we were unable to access the airway, which was covered with surgical drapes, and tidal volume was delivered. At the end of surgery, we found a longitudinal fold inside the tube with a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The patient was reintubated with another tube and ventilation immediately improved. We recognized that the tube was obstructed due to dissection of the inner layer.

Cerebrospinal fluid infection after lumbar nerve root steroid injection: a case report.

A 45-year-old woman was admitted due to severe headache and neck stiffness. She had visited a local clinic for back pain and received a lumbar nerve root steroid injection 10 days before admission. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed psoas abscess, pneumocephalus, and subdural hygroma. She was diagnosed with psoas abscess and meningitis. The abscess and external ventricle were drained, and antibiotics were administered. Unfortunately, the patient died on hospital day 19 due to diffuse leptomeningitis. Lumbar nerve root steroid injections are commonly used to control back pain. Vigilance to "red flag signs" and a rapid diagnosis can prevent lethal outcomes produced by rare and unexpected complications related to infection. Here, we report a case of fatal meningitis after infection of the cerebrospinal fluid following a lumbar nerve root steroid injection.