Guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in Korea.

As the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain gradually increases, clinicians have more opportunities to encounter opioid prescription. However, guidelines for prescribing opioids for chronic non-cancer pain have never been published in Korea. The present guidelines were prepared by reviewing various research data.

Inhibition of reactive oxygen species downregulates the MAPK pathway in rat spinal cord after limb ischemia reperfusion injury.

Introduction: We examined the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38, in rats pinal cord after hind limb ischemia reperfusion (IR) and analyzed the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as mediators of MAPK signaling under these conditions.

Methods: In experiment 1, hind limb IR rats were treated intraperitoneally with one of following agents at 30 min before reperfusion: allopurinol (4, 40 mg/kg), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 4000 U/kg), N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10 mg/kg), or SOD (4000 U/kg) + l-NAME (10 mg/kg). In experiment 2, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (N-methyl-4'-pyridyl) porphyrinato iron (III) (FeTMPyP) was administered intraperitoneally (1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) 30 min before reperfusion.

A peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst prevents mechanical allodynia and NMDA receptor activation in the hind-paw ischemia reperfusion injury rats.

The contributions of superoxide and nitric oxide to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced neuropathic pain have previously been demonstrated in an animal model that mimics the symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I). Targeting peroxynitrite, which is the product of their interaction, may provide effective treatments for I/R-induced neuropathic pain. In this study, the effect of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FeTMPyP [5,10,15,20-tetrakis (N-methyl-4'-pyridyl)porphyrinato iron (III)], administered at doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection 30 min prior to reperfusion, was evaluated in rats with chronic post-ischemic pain.

Spinal Myoclonus Developed during Cervical Epidural Drug Infusion in Postherpetic Neuralgia Patient.

Postherpetic neuralgia is the most frequent complication of herpes zoster. Treatment of this neuropathic pain syndrome is difficult and often disappointing. Although postherpetic neuralgia is generally a self-limited condition, it can last indefinitely.

The effect of lavender oil on stress, bispectral index values, and needle insertion pain in volunteers.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether lavender oil aromatherapy can reduce the bispectral index (BIS) values and stress and decrease the pain of needle insertion in 30 volunteers.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty (30) healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the experimental group received oxygen with a face mask coated with lavender oil for 5 minutes, and the control group received oxygen through a face mask with no lavender oil for 5 minutes. The stress level (0=no stress, 10=maximum stress), BIS value, and pain intensity of needle insertion (0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable) were measured.

Effect of pretreatment with acetaminophen on withdrawal movements associated with injection of rocuronium: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

Background: Withdrawal movement during rocuronium injection is a common, unresolved adverse effect. We aimed to investigate the effect of IV acetaminophen pretreatment on withdrawal movement during rocuronium injection.

Methods: This study enrolled 120 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II patients undergoing general anesthesia.

Sympathetic block for treating primary erythromelalgia.

Primary erythromelalgia is a rare condition that's characterized by erythema, an increased skin temperature and burning pain in the extremities. The pain is often very severe, and treating erythromelalgia is frustrating and difficult. We report here on the case of a 12-year old girl with primary erythromelalgia in both lower extremities.

Anesthesia of a dental patient with Angelman syndrome -A case report-.

Angelman syndrome is characterized by a partial deficit of paired autosomal chromosome 15, which contains a subunit of the GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) receptor. Many drugs that act on the CNS (Central Nerve System) during anesthesia are believed to exert their effects via the GABA receptors. We describe the anesthesia of a 7 year-old female patient with Angelman syndrome who underwent surgery for dental caries.

Contralateral allodynia and central change in the chronic post-ischemic pain model rats.

Background: Mirror-image allodynia is a mysterious phenomenon that occurs in association with many clinical pain syndromes including complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS). Underlying mechanisms for the development of such pain are still a matter of investigation. Several studies suggest that activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is essential for central sensitization as a base for persistent pain.