A Retrospective Study to Evaluate the Effect of Concentration of Hypertonic Saline on Efficacy and Safety of Epidural Adhesiolysis.

Background: Percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA) is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to relieve low back and/or lower limb pain secondary to adhesions or scarring in the epidural space that is refractory to conservative treatment. The optimal concentration of hypertonic saline might be an important factor in the safety and efficacy of PEA. We evaluated differences in the efficacy and safety of 2 concentrations of hypertonic saline (5% and 10%) used in lumbar PEA at our institutions in a retrospective study.

Intrathecal Morphine Infusion Therapy in Management of Chronic Pain: Present and Future Implementation in Korea.

Purpose: Intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) infusion therapy is efficient in managing malignant and nonmalignant chronic pain refractory to standard treatment. However, the high cost of an ITMP is the greatest barrier for starting a patient on ITMP infusion therapy. Using the revised Korean reimbursement guidelines, we investigated the cost effectiveness of ITMP infusion therapy and conducted a patient survey.

Sevoflurane Versus Desflurane on the Incidence of Postreperfusion Syndrome During Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Various interventions to reduce postreperfusion syndrome during liver transplantation have been explored, but the effect of volatile anesthetics used during liver transplantation on the incidence of postreperfusion syndrome has not been evaluated. A randomized controlled trial was performed to compare the incidence of postreperfusion syndrome between 2 commonly used volatile anesthetics, sevoflurane and desflurane.

Methods: Sixty-two adult liver recipients scheduled for living-donor liver transplantation were randomized to receive either sevoflurane or desflurane for general anesthesia.

Effect of scalp blocks with levobupivacaine on recovery profiles after craniotomy for aneurysm clipping: a randomized, double-blind, and controlled study.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of scalp blocks using levobupivacaine on recovery profiles including postoperative pain, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and other adverse events in patients undergoing frontoparietal craniotomy for aneurysm clipping.

Methods: Fifty-two patients scheduled for elective frontoparietal craniotomy for unruptured aneurysm clipping were enrolled. After surgery, scalp blocks were performed using normal saline (group C, n = 26) or 0.