Impact of decreased levels of total CO2 on in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Decreased total CO (tCO) is significantly associated with all-cause mortality in critically ill patients. Because of a lack of data to evaluate the impact of tCO in patients with COVID-19, we assessed the impact of tCO on all-cause mortality in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the data of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in two Korean referral hospitals between February 2020 and September 2021.

Comparison of Thoracic Epidural Access with Lateral Decubitus and Shoulder Rotation Positions for Repeat Thoracic Epidural Blockade.

Background: Shoulder rotation has been shown to increase the acoustic window of ultrasound for thoracic epidural access. However, this effect of shoulder rotation has not yet been confirmed in clinical practice.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of shoulder rotation on the thoracic epidural blockade in patients with acute or chronic pain in the thoracic region.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Thiopental on the Postoperative Neurological Complications in Patients Undergoing Surgical Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: A Retrospective Analysis.

Although thiopental improved neurological outcomes in several animal studies, there are still insufficient clinical data examining the efficacy of thiopental for patients undergoing surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA). This study validated the effect of thiopental and investigated risk factors associated with postoperative neurological complications in patients undergoing surgical clipping of UIA. In total, 491 patients who underwent aneurysm clipping were included in this retrospective cohort study.

Effect of intravenous dexamethasone on the duration of postoperative analgesia for popliteal sciatic nerve block: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Intravenous (IV) dexamethasone prolongs the duration of a peripheral nerve block; however, there is little available information about its optimal effective dose. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three different doses of IV dexamethasone on the duration of postoperative analgesia to determine the optimal effective dose for a sciatic nerve block.

Methods: Patients scheduled for foot and ankle surgery were randomly assigned to receive normal saline or IV dexamethasone (2.

Bilateral brachial plexus block in a patient with cervical spinal cord injury: A case report.

Rationale: Bilateral brachial plexus block (BPB) generally requires a relatively large dose of local anesthetic for a successful block, resulting in a high risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity. It can also result in inadvertent bilateral phrenic nerve palsy, leading to respiratory failure. Hence, it has not been widely used.

Acute cervical myelopathy with quadriparesis after cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection: A case report.

Rationale: Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI), can be an effective tool to improve pain associated with cervical radiculopathy. However, complications related to the procedure have been reported.

Patient Concerns: A 50-year-old woman who experienced acute cervical myelopathy with quadriparesis after cervical TFESI under fluoroscopic guidance.

Effects of Combined Remote Ischemic Pre-and Post-Conditioning on Neurologic Complications in Moyamoya Disease Patients Undergoing Superficial Temporal Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Anastomosis.

Superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis is the most commonly used treatment for Moyamoya disease. During the perioperative period, however, these patients are vulnerable to ischemic injury or hyperperfusion syndrome. This study investigated the ability of combined remote ischemic pre-conditioning (RIPC) and remote ischemic post-conditioning (RIPostC) to reduce the occurrence of major neurologic complications in Moyamoya patients undergoing STA-MCA anastomosis.

Inadvertent epidural anesthesia associated with catheterization following continuous psoas compartment block in a patient with scoliosis: A Case report.

Rationale: Psoas compartment block (PCB) is typically performed using surface anatomical landmarks and neurostimulation for guidance. However, anatomical anomalies, such as scoliosis, make this technique unreliable, posing a challenge for the anesthesiologist when inducing regional anesthesia.

Patient Concerns: A 69-year-old woman with lumbar scoliosis scheduled for total hip arthroplasty underwent PCB with catheterization.

Inadvertent thermal injury following knee arthroscopic surgery in a pediatric patient.

Inadvertent thermal injury can occur in pediatric patients under general anesthesia during knee arthroscopic surgery. Here, we report the case of a 10-year-old boy who underwent knee arthroscopic surgery under general anesthesia. After the surgery, he complained of pain in the left lower part of his chin and was diagnosed as having a thermal burn.

A comparison of palonosetron and dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting in orthopedic patients receiving patient-controlled epidural analgesia.

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the major concerns after anesthesia and surgery, and it may be more frequent in orthopedic patients receiving patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of palonosetron and dexamethasone on the prevention of PONV in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty and receiving PCEA.

Methods: Patients scheduled for total hip or knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia/PCEA were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous palonosetron (0.

Relationship between first dorsal sacral foramen and lumbar facet joint connecting line in South Korea populations: Retrospective study.

The first sacral nerve root block (S1 nerve root block) is a practical procedure for patients with radiating lower back pain. In general, S1 nerve root block is performed under x-ray fluoroscopy. It is necessary to adjust the position of the patient and angle of fluoroscopy to properly visualize the first dorsal sacral foramen (dorsal S1 foramen).

Postoperative cognitive changes after total knee arthroplasty under regional anesthesia.

Background: The type of postoperative cognitive decline after surgery under spinal anesthesia is unknown. We investigated the type of postoperative cognitive decline after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Neuropsychological testing was conducted and the changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers after surgery were evaluated.

C-reactive protein is an independent predictor for 1-year mortality in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: A retrospective analysis.

Numerous factors are associated with mortality after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) was an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality after hip fracture surgery in the elderly. The electronic medical records of 772 elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) undergoing hip fracture surgery from May 2003 to November 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.

A Comparison Between the Conventional and the Laryngoscope-Assisted Lightwand Intubation Techniques in Patients With Cervical Immobilization: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background: Positioning of a lightwand in the midline of the oral cavity can be challenging in patients with cervical immobilization. Direct laryngoscopy may permit the lightwand tip to more easily access the glottic opening. We tested our hypothesis that a laryngoscope-assisted lightwand technique allows more successful endotracheal intubation than does a conventional lightwand approach.

Transsacrococcygeal approach to ganglion impar block for treatment of chronic coccygodynia after spinal arachnoid cyst removal: A case report.

Background: Coccygodynia is a pain in the region of the coccyx that radiates to the sacral, perineal area. The cause of the pain is often unknown. Coccygodynia is diagnosed through the patient's past history, a physical examination, and dynamic radiographic study, but the injection of local anesthetics or a diagnostic nerve blockade are needed to distinguish between somatic, neuropathic, and combined pain.

A prospective, randomized and controlled study of interscalene brachial plexus block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A comparison of C5 and conventional approach, a CONSORT-compliant article.

Background: The shoulder area is mainly innervated with the C5 and C6 nerve roots, and interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is widely used for postoperative analgesia after shoulder surgery. However, it is associated with adverse effects, such as numbness and weakness in the blocked arm due to an unwanted block of the lower brachial plexus (C7-T1). We hypothesized that the C5 approach during ISB would provide postoperative analgesia while minimizing adverse events after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Effect of bevel direction on the success rate of ultrasound-guided radial arterial catheterization.

Background: This study assessed the effect of bevel direction on the success rate of ultrasound guided radial artery catheterization.

Methods: A total of 204 patients requiring radial artery catheterization were randomly divided into bevel-up (n = 102) and bevel-down (n = 102) groups. Success rate, cannulation time, and number of attempts were compared groups.

Prolonged hemidiaphragmatic paresis following continuous interscalene brachial plexus block: A case report.

Interscalene brachial plexus block provides effective anesthesia and analgesia for shoulder surgery. One of the disadvantages of this technique is the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paresis, which can occur as a result of phrenic nerve block and can cause a decrease in the pulmonary function, limiting the use of the block in patients with reduced functional residual capacity or a preexisting pulmonary disease. However, it is generally transient and is resolved over the duration of the local anesthetic's action.

The effect of induced hypertension on neurological outcome in forebrain ischaemia model in rats.

Introduction: The present study investigated the effects of induced hypertension on hippocampal cell death after forebrain ischaemia in rats.

Materials And Methods: In this study, forebrain ischaemia was induced in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats by clamping the bilateral common carotid arteries to induce systemic hypotension for 8min. All rats then underwent reperfusion during which the induced hypertension group (n=10) received intermittent intravenous injections of phenylephrine (5μg) to maintain their mean arterial blood pressure at 20mmHg above baseline for 10min and the control group (n=10) did not receive any treatment.

The optimal anesthetic depth for interventional neuroradiology: comparisons between light anesthesia and deep anesthesia.

Background: This study was designed to determine the optimal anesthetic depth for the maintenance and recovery in interventional neuroradiology.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients undergoing interventional neuroradiology were randomly allocated to light anesthesia (n = 44) or deep anesthesia (n = 44) groups based on the value of the bispectral index (BIS). Anesthesia was induced with propofol, alfentanil, and rocuronium and maintained with 1-3% sevoflurane.

Correction of superior sulcus deformity with orbital fat anatomic repositioning and fat graft applied to retro-orbicularis oculi fat for Asian eyelids.

Background: "Sunken eyelid" is a term used to describe a deeply sunken area between the upper eyelid and upper edge of the orbital bone. The condition frequently is accompanied by blepharoptosis. Correction of a "sunken eyelid" generally is performed with a fat graft.

Mandibular osteotomies after drawing out the inferior alveolar nerve along the canal.

In some cases, the inferior alveolar nerve runs through a lower course than usual. In such cases, osteotomy of the mandible can injure the inferior alveolar nerves. In other instances, the course of the mandibular osteotomy can meet that of the inferior alveolar nerve.