• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.261-270
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• 2019

Background: People with the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), a group of heritable disorders of connective tissue, often report experiencing dental procedure pain despite local anesthetic (LA) use. Clinicians have been uncertain how to interpret this apparent LA resistance, as comparison of EDS and non-EDS patient experience is limited to anecdotal evidence and small case series. The primary goal of this hypothesis-generating study was to investigate the recalled adequacy of pain prevention with LA administered during dental procedures in a large cohort of people with and without EDS. A secondary exploratory aim asked people with EDS to recall comparative LA experiences. Methods: We administered an online survey through various social media platforms to people with EDS and their friends without EDS, asking about past dental procedures, LA exposures, and the adequacy of procedure pain prevention. Among EDS respondents who both received LA and recalled the specific LA used, we compared agent-specific pain prevention for lidocaine, procaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, and articaine. Results: Among the 980 EDS respondents who had undergone a dental procedure LA, 88% (n = 860) recalled inadequate pain prevention. Among 249 non EDS respondents only 33% (n = 83) recalled inadequate pain prevention (P < 0.001 compared to EDS respondents). The agent with the highest EDS-respondent reported success rate was articaine (30%), followed by bupivacaine (25%), and mepivacaine (22%). Conclusions: EDS survey respondents reported nearly three times the rate of LA non-response compared to non-EDS respondents, suggesting that LAs were less effective in preventing their pain associated with routine office dental procedures.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2019

Background: Profound anesthesia with adequate duration is required in periodontal flap surgery, which involves the manipulation of both hard and soft tissues. The anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) injection may be an alternative to multiple injections required for this purpose in the maxilla. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of AMSA injection using computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) system to anesthetize buccal hard tissue (BHT), buccal soft tissue (BST), palatal hard tissue (PHT), and palatal soft tissue (PST) around the maxillary teeth. Methods: Thirty-five patients who were indicated for open flap debridement in a whole maxillary quadrant were given AMSA injection using the CCLAD. The effectiveness of anesthesia was evaluated using subjective and objective parameters around each tooth. Supraperiosteal infiltrations were administered to complete the surgery wherever the AMSA injection was ineffective. Results: The AMSA injection was more effective on the palatal tissues than on the buccal tissues, as 94.14% of PST and 87.89% of PHT sites were anesthetized compared to 49.22% and 43.75% of BHT and BST sites, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of anesthesia around the anterior and posterior teeth. The PHT was significantly more anesthetized (P = 0.003) in males than in females. Conclusions: The AMSA injection using CCLAD is highly effective on palatal tissues and could be used as a first-line anesthesia for periodontal flap surgery. However, its effect on buccal tissues is less predictable, with supraperiosteal infiltration often required to supplement the AMSA injection.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2019

Background: Although case reports have suggested that the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) may help analgesia for patients after breast surgery, no study to date has assessed its effectiveness. This retrospective observational study analyzed the analgesic effects of the ESPB after total mastectomy. Methods: Forty-eight patients were divided into an ESPB group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 28). Twenty patients in the control group were selected by their propensity score matching the twenty patients in the ESPB group. Patients in the ESPB group were injected with 30 mL 0.375% ropivacaine, followed by catheter insertion for further injections of local anesthetics every 12 hours. Primarily, total fentanyl consumption was compared between the two groups during the first 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity levels (visual analogue scale) and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Results: Median cumulative fentanyl consumption during the first 24 hours was significantly lower in the ESPB ($33.0{\mu}g$; interquartile range [IQR], $27.0-69.5{\mu}g$) than in the control group ($92.8{\mu}g$; IQR, $40.0-155.0{\mu}g$) (P = 0.004). Pain level in the early postoperative stage (<3 hr) and incidence of PONV (0% vs. 55%) were also significantly lower in the ESPB group compared to the control (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Intermittent ESPB after total mastectomy reduces fentanyl consumption and early postoperative pain. ESPB is a good option for multimodal analgesia after breast surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 2019

Background: Ganglion impar blockade is a reliable and effective treatment option used in patients with coccydynia. Our primary objective was to specify the role of corticosteroids in impar blockade. We compared applications of local anesthetic with the local anesthetic + corticosteroid combination in terms of treatment efficiency in patients with chronic coccydynia. Methods: Our study was a prospective randomize double-blind study. The patients were divided into 2 groups after randomization. The first group (group SL) was made up of patients where a corticosteroid + local anesthetic were used during ganglion impar blockade. In the second group (group L) we used only local anesthetic. We evaluated numeric rating scale (NRS) and Beck depression scale, which were employed before the procedure and in 1st and 3rd months after the procedure. Results: Seventy-three patients were included in the final analysis. We detected a significantly greater decrease in NRS values in the 1st month in group SL than in group L (P = 0.001). In the same way, NRS values in the 3rd month were significantly lower in the group with steroids (P = 0.0001). During the evaluation of the Beck test, we detected significantly greater decreases in the 1st month (P = 0.017) and 3rd month (P = 0.021) in the SL group than in the L group. Conclusions: Ganglion impar blockade decreases pain in the treatment of chronic coccydynia and improve depression. Addition of steroids in a ganglion impar blockade is required for treatment response that should accumulate over a long period of time.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2021

Background: Inappropriate use of intravenous and inhaled anesthetics may be dangerous in infants undergoing facial cleft surgeries. This study primarily aimed to compare the effect of infraorbital nerve block on sevoflurane requirement in infants undergoing cheiloplasty. Intraoperative opioid consumption, hemodynamics, blood glucose levels, extubation time, and delirium were also compared. Methods: This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was conducted in 34 infants undergoing cheiloplasty under general anesthesia. After induction, group A received bilateral infraorbital nerve block with 0.5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine and group B 0.5 mL saline. An increase in heart rate or blood pressure > 20% was managed by increasing sevoflurane by 2-2.5%, followed by fentanyl 0.5 ㎍/kg bolus. The chi-square test and independent-sample t-test were used where applicable. Results: Demographics, duration of surgery, and intravenous fluids used were comparable between the groups. Compared to group A, patients in group B had significantly higher consumption of fentanyl (14.2 ± 4.4 ㎍ vs. 22.1 ± 6.2 ㎍) and sevoflurane (14.2 ± 4.8 mL vs. 26.8 ± 15.6 mL). Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were significantly lower in group A, the number of times increases in hemodynamic parameters occurred, and fentanyl supplemental bolus was required remained significantly lower in group A than in group B. Intraoperative glycemic levels remained higher in group B, and the extubation time was significantly shorter in group A than in group B (4.40 ± 1.60 min vs. 9.2 ± 2.18 min). Group A had a lesser occurrence of postoperative delirium. Conclusion: Supplemental infraorbital block in infants undergoing cheiloplasty under general anesthesia resulted in significantly decreased anesthetic requirements and optimal hemodynamic and glycemic levels with faster extubation and lesser delirium.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2022

Background: To compare ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) of the genicular nerve with the genicular nerve block using local anesthetic and steroid for management of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. Methods: Thirty patients with OA knee were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve (PRF group) or nerve block with bupivacaine and methylprednisolone acetate (local anesthetic steroid [LAS] group). Verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS) and Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were measured at pre-procedure and 1-, 4-, and 12-weeks post-procedure. Results: VNRS scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in both the groups at 12 weeks and other follow up times compared to baseline. Seventy-three percent of patients in the PRF group and 66% in the LAS group achieved effective pain relief (≥ 50% pain reduction) at 12 weeks (P > 0.999). There was also a statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement in WOMAC scores in both groups at all follow up times. However, there was no intergroup difference in VNRS (P = 0.893) and WOMAC scores (P = 0.983). No complications were reported. Conclusions: Both ultrasound-guided PRF of the genicular nerve and blocks of genicular nerve with local anesthetic and a steroid provided comparable pain relief without any complications. However, PRF of the genicular nerve is a procedure that takes much more time and equipment than the genicular nerve block.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.226-234
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• 2022

To evaluate butorphanol and tramadol as adjuvants to lidocaine in dogs undergoing mandibular nerve block. Fifteen beagles were allocated to groups based on the following treatments: lidocaine alone (L group), lidocaine + butorphanol (LB group), or lidocaine + tramadol (LT group). After mandibular nerve block with opioids as an adjunct to local anesthetics, the onset time, duration of action, and depth of anesthesia were evaluated using a quantitative method through neuromuscular blockades (NMBs) monitoring. The onset time of nerve block was 4.60 ± 2.06 min, 2.00 ± 0.00 min, and 2.60 ± 1.62 min in the L, LB, and LT groups, respectively; however, there was no statistically significant difference. The duration of nerve block was 111.88 ± 34.78 min, 302.00 ± 76.72 min, and 260.40 ± 49.88 min in the L, LB, and LT groups, respectively, with a significant difference between L and LB groups. The LB group demonstrated a more profound depth of anesthesia compared to the L and LT groups. In this study, using a quantitative method through NMBs monitoring, it was demonstrated that lidocaine and butorphanol in combination can increase the duration of nerve block and more profound the depth of anesthesia rather than lidocaine alone. Additionally, the combined use of lidocaine and opioids presented an objective indicator that could provide a more clinically stable nerve block.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2021

Background: In the field of dentistry, topical anesthetics play an important role in reducing pain during needle pricks. The anesthetic property of betel leaves remain unexplored, even though they have been widely used for the treatment of various ailments. The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate pain perception following topical application of lignocaine gel, clove gel, ice, and newly developed betel leaf extract gel during intraoral injection in children. Methods: Sixty children aged 6-10 years who met the inclusion criteria were divided into four groups. Topical anesthetic agents, 2% lignocaine (Lox-2% Jelly, Neon, Mumbai, India), 4.7% clove gel (Pain Out Dental Gel, Colgate Palmolive India Ltd, Solan, India), 10% betel leaf extract gel, and ice were applied to each group for one min, followed by administration of infiltration anesthesia. Pain perception was analyzed during needle insertion. The Wong Bakers FACES pain rating scale (WBFPRS) was used for subjective assessment and the Sound, Eye, Motor (SEM) scale for objective assessment. Recorded values were tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis using SPSS software with a P value set at 0.05. Results: The clove oil and betel leaf groups demonstrated the highest WBFPRS scores, followed by the ice and lignocaine groups. The clove, betel leaf extract, and ice groups showed equal and highest SEM scores, followed by the lignocaine group. The mean WBFPRS and mean SEM scores were statistically significant. Conclusion: Betel leaf extract gel is effective in reducing pain and can act as an alternative topical anesthetic agent.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

Background: Local anesthetics often are used in rotator cuff tears as therapeutic tools, although some cases have reported that they have detrimental effects. Neurotropin (NTP) is used widely in Japan as a treatment for various chronic pain conditions and is shown to have protective effects on cartilage and nerve cells. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of NTP against lidocaine-induced cytotoxicity. Methods: Tenocytes from rotator cuff tendons were incubated with lidocaine, NTP, lidocaine with NTP, and a control medium. Cell viability was evaluated using the WST-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was detected via annexin V staining using flow cytometry. The expression of BCL-2 and cytochrome c, which are involved in the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, was evaluated via Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Results: In the cell viability assay, lidocaine decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, and NTP did not affect cell viability. Moreover, NTP significantly inhibited the cytotoxic effect of lidocaine. The flow cytometry analysis showed that lidocaine significantly induced apoptosis in tenocytes, and NTP considerably inhibited this lidocaine-induced apoptosis. Western blotting experiments showed that lidocaine decreased the protein expression of BCL-2, and that NTP conserved the expression of BCL-2, even when used with lidocaine. Immunohistochemical staining for cytochrome c showed that 0.1% lidocaine increased cytochrome c-positive cells, and NTP suppressed lidocaine-induced cytochrome c expression. Conclusions: NTP suppresses lidocaine-induced apoptosis of tenocytes by inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Intra-articular/bursal injection of NTP with lidocaine could protect tenocytes in rotator cuff tendons against lidocaine-induced apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.216-229
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• 2023

Background: The role of the sympathetic nervous system appears to be central in causing pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The stellate ganglion block (SGB) using additives with local anesthetics is an established treatment modality. However, literature is sparse in support of selective benefits of different additives for SGB. Hence, the authors aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of clonidine with methylprednisolone as additives to ropivacaine in the SGB for treatment of CRPS. Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study (the investigator blinded to the study groups) was conducted among patients with CRPS-I of the upper limb, aged 18-70 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-III. Clonidine (15 ㎍) and methylprednisolone (40 mg) were compared as additives to 0.25% ropivacaine (5 mL) for SGB. After medical treatment for two weeks, patients in each of the two groups were given seven ultrasound guided SGBs on alternate days. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to visual analogue scale score, edema, or overall patient satisfaction. After 1.5 months follow-up, however, the group that received methylprednisolone had better improvement in range of motion. No significant side effects were seen with either drug. Conclusions: The use of additives, both methylprednisolone and clonidine, is safe and effective for the SGB in CRPS. The significantly better improvement in joint mobility with methylprednisolone suggests that it should be considered promising as an additive to local anaesthetics when joint mobility is the concern.