Seong-Hyop Kim

An Evaluation of Perioperative Pregabalin for Prevention and Attenuation of Postoperative Shoulder Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Postlaparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP) frequently follows laparoscopic surgery. In this placebo-controlled study, we evaluated the efficacy of two perioperative doses of pregabalin 300 mg 12 h apart for preventing and attenuating PLSP after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The frequency and severity of PLSP, need for postoperative rescue analgesia, and side effect profiles were assessed for 48 h postoperatively. In both groups, the overall incidence of PLSP did not differ significantly, and the pain score for PLSP, time to first rescue analgesia, and cumulative ketorolac consumption were similar at each timepoint. However, the 2-h postoperative incidence of oversedation was higher with pregabalin.

Diagnostic predictor of difficult laryngoscopy: the hyomental distance ratio.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the usefulness of the hyomental distance (HMD) ratio (HMDR), defined as the ratio of the HMD at the extreme of head extension to that in the neutral position, in predicting difficult visualization of the larynx (DVL) in apparently normal patients, by examining the following preoperative airway predictors, alone and in combination: the modified Mallampati test, HMD in the neutral position, HMD and thyromental distance at the extreme of head extension and HMDR. METHODS: Preoperatively, we assessed the five airway predictors in 213 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. A single experienced anesthesiologist, blinded to the results of the airway evaluation, performed all of the direct laryngoscopies and graded the views using the modified Cormack and Lehane scale. DVL was defined as a Grade 3 or 4 view. The optimal cutoff points for each test were determined at the maximal point of the area under the curve in the receiver operating characteristic curve. For the modified Mallampati test, Class ≥3 was predefined as a predictor of DVL. RESULTS: The larynx was difficult to visualize in 26 (12.2%) patients. In univariate analyses, the HMD and thyromental distance at the extreme of head extension and the HMDR were significantly related to DVL. The HMDR with the optimal cutoff point of 1.2 had greater diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve of 0.782), than other single predictors (P < 0.05), and it alone showed a greater diagnostic validity profile (sensitivity, 88%; specificity, 60%) than any test combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The HMDR with a test threshold of 1.2 is a clinically reliable predictor of DVL.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on the adjuvant propofol requirement and intraoperative hemodynamics during remifentanil-based anesthesia.

Background The effects of dexmedetomidine on the propofol-sparing effect and intraoperative hemodynamics during remifentanil-based propofol-supplemented anesthesia have not been well investigated. Methods Twenty patients undergoing breast surgery were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine (group DEX) or placebo (group C). In the DEX group, dexmedetomidine was loaded (1 µg/kg) before anesthesia induction and was infused (0.6 µg/kg/h) during surgery. Anesthesia was induced with a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol (effect site concentration, Ce; 3 µg/ml) and remifentanil (plasma concentration, Cp, 10 ng/ml). The Ce of TCI-propofol was adjusted to a bispectral index of 45-55, and Cp of TCI-remifentanil was fixed at 10 ng/ml in both groups. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at baseline (T-control), after the loading of study drugs (T-loading), 3 min after anesthesia induction (T-induction), tracheal intubation (T-trachea), incision (T-incision), 30 min after incision (T-incision30), and at tracheal extubation (T-extubation). MAP% and HR% (MAP and HR vs. T-control) were determined and the propofol infusion rate was calculated. Results The propofol infusion rate was significantly lower in the DEX group than in group C (63.9 ± 16.2 vs. 96.4 ± 10.0 µg/kg/min, respectively; P < 0.001). The changes in MAP% at T-induction, T-trachea and T-incision in group DEX (-10.0 ± 3.9%, -9.4 ± 4.6% and -11.2 ± 6.3%, respectively) were significantly less than those in group C (-27.6 ± 13.9%, -21.7 ± 17.1%, and -25.1 ± 14.1%; P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions Dexmedetomidine reduced the propofol requirement for remifentanil-based anesthesia while producing more stable intraoperative hemodynamics.

Effect of ulinastatin on perioperative organ function and systemic inflammatory reaction during cardiac surgery: a randomized double-blinded study.

Background This study evaluated the efficacy of ulinastatin for attenuating organ injury and the release of proinflammatory cytokines due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery. Methods Patients undergoing valvular heart surgery employing CPB were assigned to receive either ulinastatin (group U, n = 13) or a placebo (group C, n = 11) before the commencement of CPB. Hemodynamic data, parameters of major organ injury and function, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured after the induction of anesthesia (T1), after CPB (T2), at the end of anesthesia (T3), and at 24 hours after surgery (POD). Results The demographic data, CPB duration, and perioperative transfusions were not different between the groups. PaO2/FiO2 in group U was significantly higher than that in group C at T3 (3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7, P = 0.005) and at POD (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7, P < 0.001). Creatine kinase-MB at POD in group U was significantly lower than that in group C (17.7 ± 8.3 vs. 33.7 ± 22.1, P = 0.03), whereas troponin I at POD was not different between the groups. Creatinine clearance and the extubation time were not different between the groups at POD. The dopamine infusion rate during the post-CPB period in group U was significantly lower than that in group C (1.6 ± 1.6 vs. 5.5 ± 3.3 µg/kg/min, P = 0.003). The interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations at T1, T2, and T3 as well as the incidences of postoperative cardiac, pulmonary and kidney injuries were not different between the groups. Conclusions Ulinastatin pretreatment resulted in an improved oxygenation profile and reduced inotropic support, probably by attenuating the degree of cardiopulmonary injury; however, it did not reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines.

Total Intravenous Anaesthesia with High-Dose Remifentanil Does Not Aggravate Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting and Pain, Compared with Low-Dose Remifentanil: A Double-Blind and Randomized Trial

The study was designed to investigate postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in low- and high-dose remifentanil regimens for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in adult female patients with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status classification I undergoing local breast excision. Propofol and remifentanil 5 ng·mL−1 (L group) or 10 ng·mL−1 (H group) were administered for anaesthesia induction and maintenance. Propofol was titrated within range of 0.1 μg·mL−1 to maintain bispectral index (BIS) values between 40 and 60. Haemodynamic parameters during the intra- and postoperative periods and 24 h postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and PONV were evaluated. Each group with 63 patients was analyzed. The H group showed higher use of remifentanil and lower use of propofol, with similar recovery time. Mean systemic arterial blood pressure (MBP), heart rate, and BIS did not differ significantly before and after endotracheal intubation in the H group. However, significant increases in MBP and BIS were apparent in the L group. Postoperative VAS, PONV incidence and scale, and Rhodes index did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, TIVA with high-dose remifentanil did not aggravate PONV with similar postoperative pain, compared with low-dose remifentanil. Furthermore, high-dose remifentanil showed more haemodynamic stability after endotracheal intubation. This trial is registered with KCT0000185.

Comparison of pulmonary gas exchange according to intraoperative ventilation modes for mitral valve repair surgery via thoracotomy with one-lung ventilation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Impaired pulmonary gas exchange after cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) often occurs, and the selection of mechanical ventilation mode, pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) or volume-controlled ventilation (VCV), may be important for preventing hypoxia and improving oxygenation. The authors hypothesized that patients with PCV would show better oxygenation, compared with VCV, during one-lung ventilation (OLV) for mitral valve repair surgery (MVP) via thoracotomy. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING University teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Sixty patients in each group. INTERVENTIONS MVP was performed using thoracotomy with OLV by PCV or VCV. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) were measured before anesthesia induction (T0), at skin incision (T1), after administration of heparin (T2), at 30 minutes after CPB weaning (T3), just before departure from the operating room to the intensive care unit (ICU) (T4), and 1 hour after ICU admission (T5), and PaO2/FIO2 ratio was calculated. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and mean inspiratory pressure (Pmean) were recorded at T1, T2, T3, and T4. No significant difference was noted in the PaO2/FIO2 ratio between the groups at any measured point. PIP in the PCV group at all measured points was lower than that in the VCV group (T1, p<0.001; T2, p<0.001; T3, p<0.001; T4, p=0.025, respectively). Pmean was not different between the two groups at any measured point. CONCLUSIONS PCV during OLV in patients undergoing MVP via a thoracotomy with OLV showed lower PIP compared with VCV, but this did not improve pulmonary gas exchange.

Paradoxical carbon dioxide embolism during endoscopic thyroidectomy confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography

Carbon dioxide (CO2) embolism is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of laparoscopic procedures. Although endoscopic thyroidectomy using CO2 gas insufflation appears to be superior to conventional open thyroidectomy in terms of cosmetic results, it may cause venous or fatal paradoxical CO2 embolism. We report a case of paradoxical CO2 embolism during CO2 gas insufflation in an endoscopic thyroidectomy that was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Paradoxical embolization via transpulmonary right-to-left shunting of venous CO2 gas emboli was revealed by TEE examination. The patient recovered without complications. In conclusion, although endoscopic thyroidectomy is a promising approach that is gaining popularity and offers excellent cosmetic results compared with conventional open thyroidectomy, this case report emphasizes the importance of anticipating and being vigilant for potential CO2 embolism.

Effect of nefopam- versus fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: This study comparatively evaluated the effect of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) regimens using equipotent doses of nefopam or fentanyl during laparoscopic gynecological surgery on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Research design and methods: Patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery were randomly allocated to receive either nefopam- (non-opioid; N group) or fentanyl-based (F group) PCA. PONV and postoperative pain were assessed during the 72 hours following discharge from the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU). The adverse effects of nefopam were also evaluated. Clinical trial registration: Cris.nih.go.kr ID KCT0000783. Results: In total, 94 patients were included in the final analysis. The PONV incidence and scale and the Rhodes index scores were significantly lower in the N group than the F group at all measured times. The N group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of PONV (15/47 [31.9%] vs. 27/47 [57.4%], respectively; P = 0.022) and severity of PONV (0 [1] vs. 1 [2], respectively; P = 0.005) 24 hours after PACU discharge and a significantly lower Rhodes index score (0 [3] vs. 5 [9], respectively; P = 0.002) from 30 minutes after PACU arrival to 24 hours after PACU discharge than did the F group. There was no significant difference in postoperative pain at any time between the two groups. Dry mouth on PACU arrival was significantly more frequent in the N group. However, the frequency of dry mouth decreased after PACU arrival in the N group, resulting in a significantly lower incidence 24 hours after PACU discharge. Conclusions: Use of a PCA regimen with nefopam for analgesia was associated with a similar degree of pain control and superior PONV outcomes 24 hours after PACU discharge and no adverse events compared with a PCA regimen using an equipotent dose of fentanyl.

The influence of positive end-expiratory pressure on stroke volume variation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES Measurements of stroke volume variation for volume management in mechanically ventilated patients are influenced by various factors, such as tidal volume, respiratory rate, and chest/lung compliance. However, research regarding the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on stroke volume variation is limited. METHODS Patients were divided into responder and nonresponder groups according to the prediction of fluid response by the passive leg raising test and hemodynamic parameters, including stroke volume variation, measured in all patients at the following ventilator settings: (1) conventional ventilation (C), tidal volume 10 mL · kg(-1) with positive end-expiratory pressure settings of 0 (C0), 5 (C5), and 10 cmH2O (C10) and (2) lung protective ventilation (P), tidal volume 6 mL · kg(-1) with positive end-expiratory pressure settings of 0 (P0), 5 (P5), and 10 cmH2O (P10). RESULTS Regardless of ventilator setting, stroke volume variation in the responder group had an increasing trend as increased positive end-expiratory pressure level and was significantly higher than in the nonresponder group at each positive end-expiratory pressure level. The area under the curve was (1) 0.899 at C0, 0.942 at C5, and 0.985 at C10; and (2) 0.901 at P0, 0.932 at P5, and 0.947 at P10. Optimal threshold values given by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were (1) 13.5%, 13.5%, and 14.5%; and (2) 13.5%, 13.5%, and 14.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The threshold value of stroke volume variation in predicting fluid responsiveness may change when positive end-expiratory pressure 10 cmH2O is applied. This must be considered when stroke volume variation is used to detect the fluid responsiveness to prevent volume overload in this mechanical ventilation setting.

Clinical effects of intrathecal fentanyl on shoulder tip pain in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair under spinal anaesthesia: A double-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial

Objective The study evaluated the clinical intraoperative effects of intrathecal administration of fentanyl on shoulder tip pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP) under spinal anaesthesia. Methods Patients undergoing TEP were allocated in a double-blinded, prospective, randomized manner to two groups. Spinal anaesthesia was induced by intrathecal administration of 2.8 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (14 mg) in the control group and with 2.6 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (13 mg) and 10 µg fentanyl (0.2 ml) in the experimental group. Results The quality of muscle relaxation, adequacy of operative space and incidence of pneumoperitoneum were similar in the two groups (n = 36 per group). Compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly fewer cases of hypotension (12 [33.3%]) versus 23 [63.9%]) and shoulder tip pain (nine [25%] versus 18 [50%]). Intraoperative shoulder tip pain was more severe in the control group than in the experimental group. Conclusions Addition of intrathecal fentanyl to local anaesthetic can relieve shoulder tip pain with no change in complications, especially hypotension, during TEP under spinal anaesthesia.