• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.217-221
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• 1994

Percutaneous neurolysis of upper thoracic sympathetic ganglion was performed in 40 patients by simultaneously injecting 3 ml of pure alcohol into the T2 and T3 levels after 3 ml of injection of local anesthetic agent on the same sites. Using a skin temperature probe, finger tip temperatures were measured on the index finger ipsilateral to the nerve block before block, 15 and 30 minutes after test block, and 30 minutes after alcohol block. Alcohol block was performed immediately after 30 minutes test block. Finger tip temperatures obtained at 30 minutes post alcohol block and test block and the differences in the temperatures measured before and 30 minutes after alcohol block were shown to be statistically important as potential indicators for prediciting long term outcome of therapy for palmar hyperhidrosis using this technique. These results demonstrate that the palmar temperature monitoring method is sufficiently sensitive to predict the outcome of nerve block during and after thoracic sympathetic ganglion block.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.98-101
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• 1996

Background: Lumbar epidural steroid injection for relief of low back pain and sciatica has become a popular procedure. further, cervical epidural steroid injection with nerve block (CESNB) is known to be effective for the management of acute and chronic pain of neck, shoulder and arm. However, many anesthesiologists are not familiar with CESNB. Methods: Charts of 34 patients who had undergone 60 cervical epidural steroid injections over a three year period, 1993 to 1995, were reviewed. We studied the followings: initial visit and department, injected interspaces, personal characteristics, indications for injection and complications. Results: Patients' first visits were mainly to orthopaedics (11 patients) and neurosurgery (10 patients). Epidural injection sites were: C7-T1 interspace (29 patients) and C6-C7 interspace (6 patients). Mean age of patients were 50.1 years. range 21~73 years. There were twenty male and fourteen female patients. Complications varied from dizziness after CESNB (1 patient). loss of consciousness with transient apnea (2 patients), and local infection with suspicious meningitis (1 patient). Conclusion: We conclude from the above data that CESNB is a good, safe and conservative form of therapeutic procedure in the management of patients suffering from cervical radiculopathy, and neck and shoulder pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.285-290
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• 1997

Horner's syndrome is a well-recognized complication of regional analgesia of neck and shoulder region, and not often a complication of lumbar or low thoracic epidural block. Recently we experienced right Horner's syndrome accompanying paralysis of right upper extremity following lumbar epidural block in for an obstetric patient. Epidurography and MRI was performed to clarify the cause of unilateral high epidural block and cervical sympathetic block. Radiologic study demonstrated a loop formation of the epidural catheter and tip of catheter was located in right anterior epidural spaced(L1-2). The initial epidurogram revealed unilateral spreading of dye in the cervical region in right epidural space. A second epidurogram, 10 minutes following, showed dye filling in left epidural space, however spread of dye in left side was limited to lumbar and low thoracic region. We concluded the most probable cause of this unilateral high epidural block was due to misplacement of the catheter into the anterior epidural space.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.281-284
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• 1997

Continuous epidural blockade is a widely accepted, useful technique for providing anesthesia and analgesia. But there have been several anecdotal reports of complications such as: abnormal position, knotting, shearing of the catheter, etc. We experienced a case of shearing of the end of an epidural catheter which was difficult to remove from epidural space of a 39-year-old patient. Ultrasonogram proved to be very effective to confirm the presence and position of the retained catheter. We surgically removed the retained catheter as it could potentially lead to infection of the epidural space. We advocate the ultrasonogram as an effective procedure to confirm and locate retained epidural catheter.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.140-143
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• 1999

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is a related but more serious disorder caused by herpes zoster viral infection of the geniculate ganglion. It is characterized by unilateral painful vesicular rash of the uvula, palate, auricle, ear canal, and postauricular area, but it can extend into the facial tissues as well. Paralysis of the facial nerve is often seen, and there can be disequilibrium and hearing problems also. We experienced continuous cervical epidural block (CCEB) with intermittent stellate ganglion block is effective in Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. CCEB should be considered to the treatment of choice in Ramsay-Hunt syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.108-113
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• 1999

Background: There is some concern that the administration of epidural analgesia for pain relief during labor increases the likelihood of cesarean delivery. But, several investigators showed a decrease in the rate of emergency cesarean delivery after epidural analgesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the emergency cesarean rate between the two groups with and without epidural analgesia. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records for 7846 parturients admitted our hospital between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996 and whose attending physician anticipated a normal labor and vaginal delivery. The number of parturients with epidural analgesia using 0.25% bupivacaine with fentanyl were 2839 and parturients without epidural analgesia were 5017. Results: An administration of epidural analgesia was not associated with the incidence of cesarean rate. 149 (5.25%) of 2839 parturients in epidural group and 371 (7.31%) of 5017 parturients in non-epidural group underwent emergency cesarean section. Conclusions: Our retrospective study has shown that an administration of epidural analgesia neither decrease nor increase in the rate of emergency cesarean delivery when compared with a non-epidural analgesia.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.132-135
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• 1999

Although the vast majority (about 70%) of patients with cancer will have pain directly related to neoplastic invasion into pain-sensitive bone and soft tissue structures,as many as 20% of the adults will have pain caused directly by cancer therapy. Treatment related pain problems are important for several reasons; their appearance may be confused with more omnious pain syndromes associated with tumor recurrence or progression that may be directly lead to death of the patient; when severe, compliance with recommandations for further therapy may be adversely affected. Now, we report a case of postsurgical pain syndrome after radical neck dissection in a patient with tonsilar cancer. The pain after radical neck dissection result from injury to the cervical plexus,cranial nerve,and cervical sympathetics. In our case, we ruled out soft tissue infection and tumor recurrence,and successfully treated with gasserian ganglion block with pure alcohol in the patient having neuropathic pain in the mandible and preauricular region after radical neck dissection.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.6 no.2 s.11
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• pp.98-102
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference on pain intensity and discomfort between pressure-controlled injection system and conventional syringe injection technique from the patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. In a prospective, randomized, case-controlled study, 60 patients were divided into two groups (n=30 in each). In experimental group, pressure-controlled injection system was applied. In control group, conventional syringe injection system was applied. Pain rating score (PRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed. The average of VAS in experimental group ($16.67{\pm}15.07$) was smaller than that of control group ($25.63{\pm}22.21$), though there were no significant differences (P=0.072). In PRS, fifteen patients (50.0%) of experimental group answered that they experienced mild pain. However sixteen patients (53.3%) of control group answered that they experienced intermediate pain. From the results, pressure-controlled injection system may be an effective method to reduce pain during the dental local anesthetic procedure.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.183-192
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• 1997

Pressure pain thresholds are routinely used in orofacial pain research to evaluate the response of deep orofacial tissues to mechanical stimulation. Like other psychophysical measurements, however, this technique must stimulate cutaneous tissues before stimulating deeper tissues. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of the cutaneous hypoesthesia on the pressure pain threshold in 30 healthy volunteers. PPTs were determined with electric pressure algometry over masseter, temporalis anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscle before and after skin hypoesthesia. A local anesthetic cream and a control cream were applied following a placebo-controlled double-blind design and PPTs were reassessed. Two examiners measured PPTs two times on each muscles, randomly. And the EMG activity of all muscles were measured to evaluate the relationship with PPTs. The collected data were processed by SAS/STAT program. The obtained results were as follows : 1. There were a tendency to increase PPTs after than before cutaneous hypoesthesia, but, there were no significant difference statistically. 2. PPTs were consistently higher in anterior temporalis than in masseter muscle. 3. In all occasions, PPTs were higher in males than in females(p<0.001). 4. A statistically significant correlation was obtained from values of intra-examiners and inter-examiners in all measured muscles. 5. A significantly positive correlation was not found between PPT and functional EMG activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2011

Background: Circumcision is a painful intervention frequently performed in pediatric surgery. We aim to compare the efficacy of caudal block versus dorsal penile block (DPNB) under general anesthesia for children undergoing circumcision. Methods: This study was performed between July 1, 2009 and October 16, 2009. Fifty male children American Society of Anesthesiolgists physical status classification I, aged between 3 and 12 were included in this randomized, prospective, comparative study. Anesthetic techniques were standardized for all children. Patients were randomized into 2 groups. Using 0.25% 0.5 ml/kg levobupivacain, we performed DPNB for Group 1 and caudal block for Group 2. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated for six hours with the Flacc Pain Scale for five categories; (F) Face, (L) Legs, (A) Activity, (C) Cry, and (C) Consolability. For every child, supplemental analgesic amounts, times, and probable local or systemic complications were recorded. Results: No significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05) was found in mean age, body weight, anesthesia duration, FLACC pain, and sedation scores (P > 0.05). However, on subsequent measurements, a significant decrease of pain and sedation scores was noted in both the DPNB group and the caudal block group (P < 0.001). No major complication was found when using either technique. Conclusions: DPNB and caudal block provided similar postoperative analgesic effects without major complications for children under general anesthesia.