Interpleural Catheter in the Management of Chronic Refractoy Upper Abdominal Pain -A case report-

늑막강내 카테터를 이용한 난치성 상복부통증의 치료경험 2예

Since Reiestad and Str$\ddot{o}$mskag reported interpleural installation of local anesthetic solutions as a technique for the management of postoperative pain in the patients undergoing cholecystectomy, renal surgery and breast surgery, many physician applied this technique for upper abdominal pain from various reasons such as technically simple, effective pain relief, less respiratory depression. So we tried interpleural analgesia in two patients who suffered from severe upper abdominal pain. One had upper abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis and the other had right upper abdominal pain after PTBD (percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage) for biliary cirrhosis and systemic jaundice. Both were injected 10 ml of 1% lidocaine and infused continuously with 1% lidocaine (2 ml/hr) using 2-Day Baxter$^{(R)}$ infusor. After bolus injection of lidocaine, pain scores (VAS 0~100) were recorded below 25mm and had not exceed that level during continuous infusion. After removing the catheters, two patients were all satisfied with this therapy. Our experiences with this technique showed that continuous infusion of local anesthetics through an interpleural catheter is effective in the control of refractory upper abdominal pain without any complication.