The Effects of Thoracic Epidural Analgesia during Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is a useful and safe treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pain management, during and after PRFA, is a critical component of patient care.

Objectives: This study reviewed the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia, during and after PRFA, for patients with HCC.

Tapentadol: Can It Kill Two Birds with One Stone without Breaking Windows?

Tapentadol is a novel oral analgesic with a dual mode of action as an agonist of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), and as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) all in a single molecule. Immediate release (IR) tapentadol shows its analgesic effect quickly, at around 30 minutes. Its MOR agonistic action produces acute nociceptive pain relief; its role as an NRI brings about chronic neuropathic pain relief.

Nefopam Reduces Dysesthesia after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy.

Background: Neuropathic pain, including paresthesia/dysesthesia in the lower extremities, always develops and remains for at least one month, to variable degrees, after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). The recently discovered dual analgesic mechanisms of action, similar to those of antidepressants and anticonvulsants, enable nefopam (NFP) to treat neuropathic pain. This study was performed to determine whether NFP might reduce the neuropathic pain component of postoperative pain.

Emergency cesarean delivery in a parturient who had an intractable paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia -A case report-.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common arrhythmia in the parturient and can occur with or without an underlying organic heart disease. A woman of 35 weeks' gestation, who had a paroxysmal SVT that was resistant to antiarrhythmic drugs and electric cardioversion, required emergency Cesarean delivery. The Cesarean delivery was performed under spinal anesthesia and a healthy baby was delivered uneventfully.

Optimal effect-site concentration of remifentanil for preventing development of hypertension during tracheal intubation with inhaled desflurane induction.

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect-site concentration of remifentanil needed to prevent haemodynamic instability during tracheal intubation with inhaled desflurane induction.

Methods: One hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II female patients were randomized to receive an effect-site concentration of remifentanil of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 ng/ml. Induction of anaesthesia was started with intravenous injection of propofol 2 mg/kg.