The Preventive Effect of Urinary Trypsin Inhibitor on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction, on the Aspect of Behavior, Evaluated by Y-Maze Test, via Modulation of Microglial Activity.

This experimental study was designed to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin, a urinary trypsin inhibitor, on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in rats under general anesthesia with isoflurane, on the aspect of behavior, as evaluated using a Y-maze test and focusing on microglial activity. Ulinastatin (50,000 U/mL) and normal saline (1 mL) were randomly (1:1) administered intraperitoneally to the ulinastatin and control groups, respectively, before general anesthesia. Anesthesia with isoflurane 1.5 volume% was maintained for 2 h. The Y-maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Neuronal damage using caspase-1 expression, the degree of inflammation through cytokine detection, and microglial activation with differentiation of the phenotypic expression were evaluated. Twelve rats were enrolled in the study and evenly allocated into the two groups, with no dropouts from the study. The Y-maze test showed similar results in the two groups before general anesthesia (63 ± 12% in the control group vs. 64 ± 12% in the ulinastatin group, p = 0.81). However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups after general anesthesia (17 ± 24% in the control group vs. 60 ± 12% in the ulinastatin group, p = 0.006). The ulinastatin group showed significantly lower expression of caspase-1. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly lower in the ulinastatin group than in the control group. The ulinastatin group had a significantly lower microglial activation (41.74 ± 10.56% in the control group vs. 4.77 ± 0.56% in the ulinastatin, p < 0.001), with a significantly lower activation of M1 phenotypes (52.19 ± 7.83% in the control group vs. 5.58 ± 0.76% in the ulinastatin group, p < 0.001). Administering ulinastatin before general anesthesia prevented neuronal damage and cognitive decline after general anesthesia, in terms of the aspect of behavior, as evaluated by the Y-maze test. The protective effect of ulinastatin was associated with the inhibition of microglial activation, especially the M1 phenotype.

Effect of Epidural Block in the Incidence of Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Population-Based Matched-Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) increases with age. Epidural block in patients with herpes zoster (HZ) is expected to decrease the risk of PHN. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural block on PHN incidence in a population-based study. METHODS: This was a retrospective matched cohort study and data were sourced from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The study cohort comprised 427 patients diagnosed with HZ who received epidural block within 30 days after a diagnosis of HZ. The matched control cohort included 427 patients without epidural block and were randomly matched to the study cohort at a 1:1 ratio based on covariates such as sociodemographic factors. The log-rank test was used to assess differences in the incidence of PHN. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for subsequent PHN, while controlling for potential comorbidities. RESULTS: Among the 854 sampled patients, 30 (7.03%) from the study cohort and 18 (4.22%) from the match-control developed PHN during follow-up. There were no significant differences in the incidence of PHN between the two cohorts (p=0.08). Cox proportional hazard regressions showed that the HR for PHN in patients with epidural block was 1.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.91-3.02; p=0.10). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that epidural block did not effectively prevent PHN. However, further studies are needed to determine the effect of epidural block in patients with HZ for the prevention of PHN.

Effectiveness of caudal block in patients with spinal stenosis accompanied by redundant nerve root syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Redundant nerve root syndrome (RNRS) is characterized by tortuous, elongated, and enlarged nerve roots in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of caudal block in patients with RNRS and assess factors associated with RNRS. METHODS: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent caudal block were retrospectively analyzed. A comparative analysis of pain reduction was conducted between patients with RNRS (Group R) and those without RNRS (Group C). Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify factors related to the treatment response. RNRS-associated factors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In total, 54 patients were enrolled (Group R, n = 22; Group C, n = 32). Group R had older patients than Group C. The caudal block showed less pain reduction in Group R than in Group C, but the difference was not statistically significant. Generalized estimating equation analysis showed that RNRS was the factor significantly associated with the treatment response. The dural sac anteroposterior diameter and left ligamentum flavum thickness were associated with RNRS in the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Caudal block tended to be less effective in patients with than without RNRS, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Effects of Chlorpheniramine Maleate on Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Patients Undergoing Ureteroscopic Stone Removal: A Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) associated with intraoperative urinary catheterization is a distressing symptom during recovery from anesthesia. Anticholinergics have been used to manage CRBD. Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) is a first-generation antihistamine, which also has anticholinergic effects. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of CPM in preventing CRBD. Seventy-six adults (19-65 years old) with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I, II, or III of either sex, undergoing elective ureteroscopic stone removal under general anesthesia were randomized into one of two groups (each n = 38). Group C (control) received a placebo, and group CPM received 8 mg of intravenous CPM before the induction of anesthesia. CRBD was assessed upon arrival in the post-anesthetic care unit at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h. The severity of CRBD was graded as none, mild, moderate, and severe. Tramadol was administered when the severity of CRBD was more than moderate. The incidence rate and overall severity of CRBD did not differ between the groups at any of the time points (р > 0.05). The incidence of moderate CRBD was higher in group C than in group CPM only at 0 h (26.3% vs. 5.3%, р = 0.025). However, fewer patients in the CPM group required rescue tramadol to relieve CRBD after surgery (31.6% vs. 60.5%, р = 0.011). CPM administration before the induction of anesthesia had little effect on the incidence and severity of CRBD after surgery, but it reduced the administration of tramadol required to control CRBD postoperatively.

Effectiveness of percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty in patients with lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis accompanying redundant nerve root syndrome: A retrospective observational study.

The clinical outcomes of redundant nerve root syndrome (RNRS) in patients with lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis (LFSS) are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postprocedural outcomes of RNRS in LFSS after percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF) and identify the factors associated with RNRS by comparative analysis between patients with and without RNRS.Patients with LFSS who underwent PLF were retrospectively analyzed. RNRS is defined as the presence of thick, elongated, and tortuous structures in the cauda equine associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. Based on the sagittal or transverse magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained before the PLF, the patients were stratified into 2 groups. Comparative analysis was performed between patients with RNRS (group R) and those without RNRS (group C).From March 2016 to January 2019, 8 of the 21 (38.1%) patients undergoing PLF showed signs of RNRS on magnetic resonance imaging images. PLF showed a tendency for less therapeutic effect with respect to changes in pain intensity in group R as compared to group C, but there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. RNRS correlated with the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the dural sac and LFSS grade (P < .05). The CSA of the dural sac was smaller and the grade of LFSS was higher in group R than in group C.RNRS is commonly associated with lumbar spinal stenosis and could affect the treatment outcomes. Clinical outcomes in group R were not statistically different from those in group C, although group R showed slightly worse outcomes. The independent factors associated with RNRS were CSA of the dural sac and the LFSS grade.

Effects of Intraoperative Nefopam on Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in Patients Undergoing Robotic Nephrectomy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is one of the most difficult symptoms during the postoperative period. Nefopam is a non-narcotic analgesic agent, which also has anticholinergic action. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of nefopam on CRBD in male patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy. A total of 109 male patients were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 55) received 20 mL of normal saline, and the nefopam group (n = 54) received 20 mg of nefopam 1 h before the end of the operation. At postoperative times of 20 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h, the severity of CRBD was measured using an 11-point numeric rating scale, respectively. The severity of CRBD in the nefopam group was significantly lower than that in the control group at 20 min (4.8 ± 1.3 vs. 2.3 ± 1.0, respectively, p = 0.012) and at 1, 2, and 6 h (3.5 ± 1.2, 2.7 ± 0.9, and 2.5 ± 1.0 vs. 4.1 ± 0.8, 1.6 ± 0.8, and 1.3 ± 0.6, respectively, p < 0001). Intraoperative nefopam administration reduced the severity of CRBD in patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy.

Effects of tramadol on emergence agitation after general anesthesia for nasal surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

Emergence agitation (EA) is common after nasal surgery. Strong opioids and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists prevent EA. Tramadol also acts as an opioid receptor agonist and an NMDA receptor antagonist, but few studies have evaluated the effects of tramadol on EA. This retrospective study investigated whether tramadol is effective for reducing EA in adult patients undergoing nasal surgery.Of 210 adult patients undergoing a nasal surgical procedure under general anesthesia, the medical records of 113 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients who received tramadol during the operation (tramadol group, n = 52) and patients who did not (control group, n = 61). The incidence of EA, recovery time, changes in hemodynamic parameters, postoperative pain scores, and adverse events were compared between the 2 groups.The incidence of EA was higher in the control group than in the tramadol group (50.8% [31/61] vs 26.9% [14/52]; odds ratio 2.805; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 6.2; P = .010). Changes in systolic blood pressure in the 2 groups were similar, whereas changes in heart rate during emergence differed depending on the group (P = .020), although pairwise comparisons did not reveal any differences between the groups. Recovery time, postoperative pain scores, and adverse events were similar in the 2 groups.In adult patients undergoing nasal surgery, tramadol infusion decreases the incidence of EA after sevoflurane anesthesia without delaying recovery or increasing the number of adverse events.

Comparison of the clinical performance of airway management with the i-gel® and laryngeal mask airway SupremeTM in geriatric patients: a prospective and randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric patients are susceptible to respiratory and hemodynamic adverse events during endotracheal intubation and extubation due to anatomic and physiological changes with aging. Supraglottic airway devices (SADs) provide reduced airway morbidity and increased hemodynamic stability in adults. However, studies that have compared the clinical performance of SADs in geriatric patients are limited. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical performance of airway management with i-gel® and laryngeal mask airway Supreme (LMA SupremeTM) in geriatric patients. METHODS: The subjects were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification I-III geriatric (65-85 years) patients who underwent elective surgery with general anesthesia and were randomly allocated into the i-gel® group and the LMA SupremeTM group. We compared the time for successful insertion on a first attempt as a primary outcome, and the secondary outcomes were success rate, ease of insertion, maneuver for successful ventilation, oropharyngeal leak pressure, gastric insufflation, fiberoptic view grades, ventilator problems, and adverse events. RESULTS: Insertion time was significantly shorter for the i-gel® than the LMA SupremeTM (21.4 ± 6.8 vs. 29.3 ± 9.9 s; P = 0.011). The i-gel® was also easier to insert than the LMA SupremeTM (P = 0.014). Gastric insufflation was less frequent with the i-gel® than the LMA SupremeTM (0% vs. 31.3%; P = 0.013). Other measurements were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices can be safely applied to geriatric patients with similar success rates and oropharyngeal leak pressures. However, inserting the i-gel® was faster and easier compared to the LMA SupremeTM in geriatric patients.

Comparison of the effects of desflurane and total intravenous anesthesia on the optic nerve sheath diameter in robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a well-known surrogate marker for intracranial pressure during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies (RALP). ONSD during RALP is known to increase due to elevated intracranial pressure as a result of the steep Trendelenburg position and carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. We aimed to compare the effects of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and desflurane anesthesia (DES) on ONSD during RALP. METHODS: Patients scheduled for RALP were enrolled and randomly assigned to the TIVA (propofol and remifentanil) or DES (desflurane and remifentanil) group in this randomized trial. Ultrasonographic measurements of ONSD were conducted before administration of anesthesia (T0), 10 minutes after the Trendelenburg position (T1), 1 hour after the Trendelenburg position (T2), 2 hours after the Trendelenburg position (T3), 10 minutes after resuming the supine position (T4), and at the time of arrival in the post-anaesthetic care unit (T5). The primary outcome measure was the mean ONSD at T2 of the TIVA and DES group during RALP. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were analysed in this study. The mean ONSD at T1, T2, T3, and T4 were significantly lower for patients in the TIVA group compared with those in the DES group (P = .023, .000, .000, and .003, respectively). CONCLUSION: The mean ONSD for patients in the TIVA group was significantly lower than that in the DES group during the RALP procedure. Our findings suggest that TIVA may be a more suitable anesthetic option for patients at risk of cerebral hypoperfusion.

Effects of recruitment manoeuvre on perioperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: A randomised single-blinded trial.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) needs a steep Trendelenburg position and a relatively high CO2 insufflation pressure, and patients undergoing RARP are usually elderly. These factors make intraoperative ventilatory care difficult and increase the risk of perioperative pulmonary complications. The aim was to determine the efficacy of recruitment manoeuvre (RM) on perioperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing RARP. A total of 60 elderly patients scheduled for elective RARP were randomly allocated to two groups after induction of anaesthesia; positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) was applied during the operation without RM in the control group (group C) and after RM in the recruitment group (group R). The total number of patients who developed intraoperative desaturation or postoperative atelectasis was significantly higher in group C compared to group R (43.3% vs. 17.8%, P = 0.034). Intraoperative respiratory mechanics, perioperative blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function testing did not show differences between the groups. Adding RM to PEEP compared to PEEP alone significantly reduced perioperative pulmonary complications in elderly patients undergoing RARP.

Epiduroscopic Removal of a Lumbar Facet Joint Cyst.

Facet joint synovial cysts are usually associated with osteoarthritis of the adjacent facet joint and/or spondylolisthesis. In between the conservative and operative ends of the treatment spectrum lie minimally invasive techniques such as cyst rupture using epiduroscopy. In this report, we describe an 82-year-old male patient presenting with low back pain radiating to his lower left extremity and associated paresthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine revealed a synovial cyst at left L4/5 facet joint. Using epiduroscopy, the cyst was mechanically ruptured by popping it with the tip of the scope. The patient remained symptom-free at his successive visits until 12 months after the procedure, and was opened for desired follow up.

The effect of nitroglycerin on hemodynamic changes during laparoscopic low anterior resection.

BACKGROUND: More laparoscopic low anterior resections (LAR) are being performed in recent years. There has been controversy around the hemodynamic changes affected by the Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum during LAR. The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of nitroglycerin (NTG) on hemodynamic changes during LAR. METHODS: Forty ASA physical status I-II patients undergoing LAR were randomized into two groups: the NTG infused group (N group, n = 20) and the control group (C group, n = 20). Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane at 1-3 vol%, air/oxygen (50%/50%) and continuous infusion with remifentanil. The N group patients were given 0.5 µg/kg/min of NTG during anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were assessed 10 min after induction (T1), 5 min after pneumoperitoneum in the supine position (T2), 10 min after pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position (T3), 30 min after pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position (T4), 1 hr after pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position (T5) in addition to 5 (T6), 10 (T7) and 30 min (T8) after removal of the pneumoperitoneum in the supine position. RESULTS: The increases of MAP were milder in the N group (22.6-7.3%) than the C group (32.3-17.7%) during pneumoperitoneum and while in the Trendelenburg position. The significant decreases of HR were maintained in the C group, but the changes in HR were not significant in N group during the operation. The increases in CVP were less in N group than C group. The increases of SVR were milder in N group (19.4-1.4%) than C group (41.7-16.6%) during pneumoperitoneum in the Trendelenburg position. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative NTG infusions were effective to some degree in reducing the hemodynamic changes during pneumoperitoneum with Trendelenburg positioning for LAR.

Anesthetic management in patients suspected of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease -A case report-.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder in which accumulation of the pathogenic prion protein induces neuronal damage and results in distinct pathologic features. This abnormal prion is an infectious protein and resistant to methods of sterilization currently being used. Therefore, management of definite, or suspected CJD patients requires additional precautions. We report our experience of a patient who had undergone brain biopsy for suspected of CJD. The patient was confirmed to have sporadic CJD.

Inappropriate elevation of bispectral index values in robot assisted thyroidectomy with electromyographic endotracheal tube -A case report-.

We report a case of an erroneously elevated bispectral index (BIS) during robot assisted thyroidectomy using an electromyographic endotracheal tube (EMG tube), which is safe and useful for laryngeal electromyographic monitoring. Ten minutes after start of the operation, a sudden increase of BIS value up to 98 was noticed. The BIS values were not decreased to < 65 with supplemental anesthetics. The anesthetic method was changed from total intravenous anesthesia to balanced anesthesia. The BIS sensor and monitor were changed and other models were used. These interventions did not alter BIS values. BIS levels remained between 60 and 70 throughout the main procedure and intermittently increased to the mid-90s without any trace of poor signal quality. At the end of the surgery, the BIS values returned to normal range. The patient did not complain of intraoperative recall. Knowledge of potential interference from the use of an EMG tube must be considered when interpreting BIS.

Hypocalcemia and hypokalemia due to hyperventilation syndrome in spinal anesthesia -A case report-.

Hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) often occurs under stressful conditions, and has been reported during or after anesthesia and operation. HVS, characterized by multiple somatic symptoms and electrolyte imbalances induced by inappropriate hyperventilation, should be managed as an emergency. We report a rare case of HVS during spinal anesthesia. The patient was a previously healthy 51-year-old female without psychogenic conditions. During spinal anesthesia for lower extremity surgery, the patient complained of nausea, headache, paresthesia in the upper extremities and perioral numbness. We found carpal spasm in both hands and flattening of T wave on electrocardiogram (ECG). Emergent arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) revealed markedly decreased PaCO(2), hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. We managed the patient with verbal sedation, electrolytes replacement therapy and closed mask inhalation. HVS subsided gradually. We conclude that monitoring for possible HVS during anesthesia is very important for patient safety.