Evaluation of Lung Function and Clinical Features of the Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block With 2 Different Concentrations of a Local Anesthetic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: One possible complication of stellate ganglion block (SGB) is respiratory compromise. No study has yet addressed the comparison of its effect on lung function and clinical features, including Horner's syndrome, changes in temperature, sensory and motor functions, and adverse events of lower versus higher concentrations (LC and HC, respectively) of local anesthetics in an ultrasound-guided SGB.

Methods: Fifty patients were randomized into 1 of 2 groups: the LC group (5 mL of 0.

Pneumocephalus during cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections: a case report.

A cervical transforaminal epidural injection of anesthetic and corticosteroids (CTFESI) is a frequently used procedure for cervical radiculopathy. Most cases of pneumocephalus after an epidural block occur when using an interlaminar approach with the loss-of-resistance technique. The authors present the first case of pneumocephalus after cervical transforaminal epidural injection of anesthetic and corticosteroids.

Ultrasound-guided Prolotherapy with Polydeoxyribonucleotide Sodium in Ischiofemoral Impingement Syndrome.

Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome is an uncommon disorder defined by hip pain caused by the narrowing of the space between the ischial tuberosity and lesser trochanter with associated entrapment of the quadratus femoris muscle. We effectively treated two male patients using ultrasound-guided prolotherapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium mixed with local anesthetics. A 24-year-old male patient with no history of trauma or surgery complained of bilateral hip and groin pain; magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated slight narrowing of the bilateral ischiofemoral spaces with mild enhancement of the left quadratus femoris muscle.

Ultrasound-assisted mental nerve block and pulsed radiofrequency treatment for intractable postherpetic neuralgia: three case studies.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most difficult pain syndromes to treat. Invasive treatments may be considered when patients fail to obtain adequate pain relief from noninvasive treatment approaches. Here, we present three cases of PHN in the mandibular branch treated with ultrasound-assisted mental nerve block and pulsed radiofrequency treatment.

The causes of difficult tracheal intubation and preoperative assessments in different age groups.

Background: We studied the differences in airway assessment factors among old, middle, and young age groups, and evaluated the frequency and causes of difficult intubation among these groups.

Methods: Patients were divided into young (< 40 yr, n = 75 ), middle (40-59 yr, n = 83), and old (≥ 60 yr, n = 89) group. Airway assessment factors such as head and neck movement, thyromental distance, interincisor gap, dentition, Mallampati score, and Arné score were assessed.

Ultrasound-guided infraorbital nerve pulsed radiofrequency treatment for intractable postherpetic neuralgia - a case report -.

A 60-year-old man presented with pain on the left cheek and lateral nose. The patient had been diagnosed with facial herpes zoster in the left V2 area 6 months previously. Medical treatment was prescribed for 6 months but it had little effect.

Intractable hemifacial spasm treated by pulsed radiofrequency treatment.

Hemifacial spasm is defined as unilateral, involuntary, irregular twitching of all or parts of the muscles innervated by facial nerves. Here, we present a case of recurrent hemifacial spasm after microvascular decompression (MVD) treated with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment with good results. A 35-year-old woman suffered from recurrent hemifacial spasm after MVD that was refractory to medical treatment and botulinum toxin injections.

Effects of pneumoperitoneal pressure and position changes on respiratory mechanics during laparoscopic colectomy.

Background: This study was designed to assess the effects of pneumoperitoneal pressure (PP) and positional changes on the respiratory mechanics during laparoscopy assisted colectomy.

Methods: Peak inspiratory pressure, plateau pressure, lung compliance, and airway resistance were recorded in PP of 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg, with the position change in 5 steps: head-down at 20°, head-down at 10°, neutral position, head-up at 10° and head-up at 20°.

Results: When the patient was placed head-down, the position change accentuated the effects of pneumoperitoneum on respiratory mechanics.

Seizure developed after palonosetron intravenous injection during recovery from general anesthesia -A case report-.

Seizure associated with antiemetics is rare. We report seizure associated with a 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist in a 38 years old female. The patient underwent ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy due to left upper ureter stone.

A comparison of hemodynamic changes after endotracheal intubation by the Optiscope™ and the conventional laryngoscope.

Background: Optiscope™ is a newly developed video stylet device. This study evaluated and compared the hemodynamic changes observed after endotracheal intubation with video stylet and after conventional laryngoscopic endotracheal intubation.

Methods: Fifty-eight adult patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class 1 or 2, undergoing general anesthesia, were randomized into two groups: one group of patients were intubated using video stylet (n = 29) and the other group were intubated using direct laryngoscope (n = 29).

Fluoroscope guided epidural needle insertioin in midthoracic region: clinical evaluation of Nagaro's method.

Background: In the midthoracic region, a fluroscope guided epidural block has been proposed by using a pedicle as a landmark to show the height of the interlaminar space (Nagaro's method). However, clinical implication of this method was not fully evaluated. We studied the clinical usefulness of a fluoroscope guided thoracic epidural block in the midthoracic region.

The antiemetic effect of midazolam or/and ondansetron added to intravenous patient controlled analgesia in patients of pelviscopic surgery.

Background: We made a comparative study on the antiemetic effect of midazolam and ondansetron added to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) using fentanyl with gynecologic patients undergoing pelviscopic surgery.

Methods: The PCA using 20 µg/kg of fentanyl was started in all groups postoperatively. A dose of 16 mg of ondansetron was added to the PCA of group O (n = 30).

Severe intraoperative hyponatremia associated with the absorption of irrigation fluid during hysteroscopic myomectomy: a case report.

A case of severe hyponatremia with accompanying pulmonary edema and cardiovascular instability during a hysteroscopic myomectomy with general anesthesia is presented. The patient's sodium value decreased to 87 mmol/L. She was managed with aggressive maneuvers, including an infusion of 3% hypertonic saline.

Peritrocal and intraperitoneal ropivacaine for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial.

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of peritrocal, intraperitoneal, or combined peritrocal-intraperitoneal ropivacaine on the parietal, visceral, and shoulder tip pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned to four groups. Group A received peritrocal and intraperitoneal saline.

Less perilaryngeal gas leakage with SLIPA™ than with LMA-ProSeal™ in paralyzed patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the Streamlined Liner of the Pharynx Airway (SLIPA™) with the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA-ProSeal™) in mechanically ventilated paralyzed patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Methods: One hundred and one patients were allocated randomly to SLIPA (n = 50) or to LMA-ProSeal (n = 51) treatment groups. After induction of general anesthesia and insertion of the assigned supralaryngeal airway (SLA) device, we made note of the occurrence of any gastric insufflation and perilaryngeal leakage.

The effects of changing from isoflurane to desflurane on the recovery profile during the latter part of anesthesia.

It is not known whether changing from isoflurane to desflurane during the latter part of anesthesia shows early emergence and recovery in long surgery. We therefore evaluated the effects of changing isoflurane to desflurane on emergence and recovery. Eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to receive isoflurane (Group I) or desflurane (Group D) or to change from isoflurane to desflurane anesthesia (Group X).

The effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine on pain after laparoscopic colectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although laparoscopic procedures are becoming more common, postoperative pain remains a major factor causing delayed patient recovery. There have been several trials to reduce pain by instilling local anesthetics into the peritoneal cavity, but there has been no study on prolonged (∼300 min) or intensive surgery. We investigated the analgesic effect of intraperitoneal ropivacaine instillation after laparoscopic colectomy.

The clinical effectiveness of the streamlined liner of pharyngeal airway (SLIPA) compared with the laryngeal mask airway ProSeal during general anesthesia.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the streamlined liner of the pharynx airway (SLIPA), a new supraglottic airway device (SGA), with the laryngeal mask airway ProSeal (PLMA) during general anesthesia.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups; a PLMA group (n = 30) or a SLIPA group (n = 30). Ease of use, first insertion success rate, hemodynamic responses to insertion, ventilatory efficiency and positioning confirmed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy were assessed.

Spontaneous pneumothorax during laparoscopy-assisted Billroth-I gastrectomy -A case report-.

Pneumothorax associated with a pneumoperitonium in laparoscopic surgery is rare but can cause life-threatening complications. A 62-year-old man was scheduled for a laparoscopy-assisted Billroth-I gastrectomy under general anesthesia. Approximately 70 minutes after insufflating carbon dioxide into the intraabdominal cavity at a pressure of 12 mmHg, the peak inspiratory pressure increased, while the oxygen saturation decreased.