• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2021

Background: Local anesthetic infiltration at the site of a surgical wound is commonly used to control postoperative pain. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of continuous local infiltration at an abdominal surgical site in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery. Methods: Sixty-one patients who underwent ALIF surgery were enrolled. For thirtyone of them, a continuous local anesthetics infiltration system was used at the abdominal site. We collected data regarding the patients' sleep quality; satisfaction with pain control after surgery; abilities to perform physical tasks and the additional application of opioids in the postoperative 48 hours. Results: The On-Q system group showed reduced visual analogue scale scores for pain at the surgical site during rest and movement at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours; and more was satisfied with pain control management at the first postoperative day (7.0 ± 1.2 vs. 6.0 ± 1.4; P = 0.003) and week (8.1 ± 1.6 vs. 7.0 ± 1.8; P = 0.010) than the control group. The number of additional patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) bolus and pethidine injections was lower in the On-Q group (PCA: 3.67 ± 1.35 vs. 4.60 ± 1.88; P = 0.049 and pethidine: 2.09 ± 1.07 vs. 2.73 ± 1.38; P = 0.032). Patients who used the On-Q system performed more diverse activity and achieved earlier ambulation than those in the control group. Conclusions: Continuous wound infiltration with ropivacaine using an On-Q system may be effective for controlling postoperative pain after ALIF surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.291-299
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• 2024

Background: Postoperative pain management following minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) remains a critical concern due to severe post-procedural pain. Promising results have been reported for cryoanalgesia following MIRPE; however, its invasiveness, single-lung ventilation, and additional instrumentation requirements remain obstacles. Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a regional block technique capable of covering the anterior chest wall at the T2-9 levels, which are affected by MIRPE. We hypothesized that SAPB would be a superior alternative pain control modality that reduces postoperative pain more effectively than conventional methods. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent MIRPE between March 2022 and August 2023. The efficacy of pain control was compared between group N (conventional pain management, n=24) and group S (SAPB, n=26). Group N received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) and subcutaneous local anesthetic infusion. Group S received bilateral continuous SAPB with 0.3% ropivacaine after a bilateral bolus injection of 30 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with baseline IV-PCA. Pain levels were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively and total intravenous rescue analgesic consumption by morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Results: Mean VAS scores were significantly lower in group S than in group N throughout the 72-hour postoperative period (p<0.01). Group S showed significantly lower MME at postoperative 72 hours (group N: 108.53, group S: 16.61; p<0.01). Conclusion: SAPB improved immediate postoperative pain control in both the resting and dynamic states and reduced opioid consumption compared to conventional management.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.69-76
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• 2012

Purpose: Most of postoperative patients experience pain, state anxiety and sleep disturbance. These problems negatively influence the recovery of postoperative patients. So alleviating these problems has been one of the nurses' central roles. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of back massage on pain, state anxiety and quality of sleep of postoperative gastrectomy patients. Methods: A non-synchronized non-equivalent control group pre and post-test design was used. The research instruments used in this study were the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain, the State-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for anxiety and the Verran and Synder-Halpern scale for quality of sleep. The subjects were patients admitted to a university hospital located in D city. Twenty-nine patients in the experimental group had a 10 minute manual back massage stimulation for 5 days from the 1st day to the 5th day after their operation, and 25 patients in the control group did not. Results: The degree of pain was significantly reduced according to post operation day and quality of sleep was significantly increased. However state anxiety was not significantly reduced. Conclusion: Back massage is a partially effective nursing intervention for postoperative patients with gastrectomy who experience pain and sleep disturbance.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the postoperative pain and clinical performance after partial pulpotomy by using ProRoot MTA and Endocem MTA. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight teeth requiring partial pulpotomy due to deep dental caries or traumatic injury were included in this study. After 2mm removal of exposed pulp and bleeding control, the ProRoot MTA or Endocem MTA was randomly adjusted to the exposed site. 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the final restoration, the patients were recalled to check the postoperative pain or another unfavorable signs. Pearson's chi-square test was used for statistical analysis to evaluate any differences among tested materials. Results: 3 of 28 teeth showed postoperative pain and cold positive during follow-up period (10.7%). There were no statistically differences in pain occurrence between two tested materials (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In the limitations of this study, partial pulpotomy by using Endocem MTA showed the advantages of short setting time and lower postoperative pain incidence, allowing one visit treatment.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2004

Purpose: Women who undergo gynecological surgery have moderate and severe sensation and distress of pain despite the advent of patient controlled analgesia (PCA). The purposes of this study were to describe perception of non-pharmacological therapy for postoperative pain control and examine changes of pain sensation and distress in women who had gynecological surgery. Method: The sample consisted of 52 women who were having gynecological surgery. Subjects who agreed to participate in the study were asked for their opinion about non-pharmacological approaches for postoperative pain control using a structured study questionnaire. Pain sensation and distress were assessed by VAS in the morning and afternoon for 2 days following the surgery. Result: About 50% of the subjects thought that non-pharmacological methods such as relaxation, music, massage, or meditation would be helpful for their postoperative pain control. If both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy were given for pain control, 96% of subjects reported it would be effective. Nurses can apply techniques of relaxation, deep breathing, meditation, and music therapy to surgical patients along with PCA. Expected sensation and distress of pain was high, but pain levels gradually decreased over time. However, subjects experienced moderate levels of pain postoperatively although they used PCA. Conclusion: The effect of a combined method of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approach needs to be tested if postoperative pain is to be decreased more.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2008

Objective: Postoperative delirium (POD) is characterized by an acute change in cognitive function and can result in longer hospital stays, higher morbidity rates, and more frequent discharges to long-term care facilities. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors of POD in 224 patients older than 70 years of age, who had undergone a neurosurgical operation in the last two years. Methods: Data related to preoperative factors (male gender, >70 years, previous dementia or delirium, alcohol abuse, serum levels of sodium, potassium and glucose, and co-morbidities), perioperative factors (type of surgery and anesthesia, and duration of surgery) and postoperative data (length of stay in recovery room, severity of pain and use of opioid analgesics) were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed. Results: POD appeared in 48 patients (21.4%) by postoperative day 3. When we excluded 26 patients with previous dementia or delirium, 17 spontaneously recovered by postoperative day 14, while 5 patients recovered by postoperative 2 months with medication, among 22 patients with newly developed POD. The univariate risk factors for POD included previously dementic or delirious patients, abnormal preoperative serum glucose level, pre-existent diabetes, the use of local anesthesia for the operation, longer operation time (>3.2 hr) or recovery room stay (>90 mini, and severe pain (VAS>6.8) requiring opioid treatment (p<0.05). Backward regression analysis revealed that previously dementic patients with diabetes, the operation being performed under local anesthesia, and severe postoperative pain treated with opioids were independent risk factors for POD. Conclusion: Our study shows that control of blood glucose levels and management of pain during local anesthesia and in the immediate postoperative period can reduce unexpected POD and help preventing unexpected medicolegal problems and economic burdens.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.286-291
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• 2019

Background: Breast cancer is complicated by a high incidence of chronic postoperative pain (25%-60%). Regional anesthesia might play an important role in lowering the incidence of chronic pain; however it is not known if the pectoral nerve block (PECS block), which is commonly used for breast surgery, is able to prevent this complication. Our main objective was therefore to detect any association between the PECS block and chronic pain at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in patients undergoing breast surgery. Methods: We conducted a prospective, monocentric, observational study. We enrolled 140 consecutive patients undergoing breast surgery and divided them in patients receiving a PECS block and general anesthesia (PECS group) and patients receiving only general anesthesia (GA group). Then we considered both intraoperative variables (intravenous opioids administration), postoperative data (pain suffered by the patients during the first 24 postoperative hours and the need for additional analgesic administration) and development and persistence of chronic pain (at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo). Results: The PECS group had a lower incidence of chronic pain at 3 months (14.9% vs. 31.8%, P = 0.039), needed less intraoperative opioids (fentanyl $1.61{\mu}g/kg/hr$ vs. $3.3{\mu}g/kg/hr$, P < 0.001) and had less postoperative pain (3 vs. 4, P = 0.017). Conclusions: The PECS block might play an important role in lowering incidence of chronic pain, but further studies are needed.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2023

Background: Extrusion of debris is a major factor that results in postoperative pain during root canal treatment with various instruments and instrumentation techniques. Therefore, instrumentation techniques that extrude minimal debris into the periapical area while reducing pain are desirable. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postoperative pain and intake of analgesic medication (frequency and quantity) after endodontic treatment of mandibular posterior teeth using two single files and full-sequence continuous rotary systems with different kinematic motions. Methods: Thirty-five of 105 patients were assigned equally to three groups according to the instrumentation system used: ProTaper Next (PN) X2, 25/06 (Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), One Shape (OS), #0.25/06 (Micro Mega, Besancon, France), and Wave One Gold (WG), Red - #0.25, 0.07 (Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Five specialists were included in this study design; each professional prepared 21 teeth, and randomly selected 7 per instrument system. The VAS sheet ranging from 0 to 10 was used to record the initial and postoperative pains at 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7^th day after single visit endodontic treatment in mandibular premolars and molars with a diagnosis of asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis with or without apical periodontitis. Postoperatively, an analgesic, ibuprofen 400 mg was administered for intolerable pain at a dose of 1 tablet for 6 h. The patients were asked over the telephone regarding postoperative pain at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h, and 7^th day using a visual analogue scale. Result: There were no statistically significant differences among the PN, OS, and WG systems (P > 0.05) with regard to the incidence of postoperative pain at any of the four time points assessed. Conclusion: The intensity of postoperative pain, frequency, and analgesic intake were similar across all three types of instrument systems; however, the reciprocating single file (WG) was associated with less postoperative pain than the full sequence continuous rotary file.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.385-389
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• 1996

Background: Nowadays, epidural morphine is commonly used in postoperative pain control. But epidural morphine may produce some side-effects, e.g. pruritus, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention and respiratory depression. Especially, pruritus is the most common complaint in pain-controlled patients by epidural morphine. So we evaluated whether addition of epidural butorphanol affects the degree of pruritus and pain score in pain controlled patients who by epidural morphine after hysterectomy. Methods: Group 1(N=15) received postoperative epidural 0.1% bupivacaine 100ml plus morphine 10 mg, group 2(N=15) received the mixture of butorphanol 2 mg with same regime as in group 1, group 3(N=15) received the mixture of butorphanol 4 mg with same regime as in group 1. All of the three groups received these solutions by infusion pump, 1 ml/hour, for postoperative 4 days. all groups received additional morphine 1.2 mg in 0.2% bupivacaine 6ml epidurally when the peritoneum was closed under general anesthesia. The severity of pain, pruritus, nausea and vomiting was estimated by 10 cm VAS(visual analogue scale) and somnolence by positive or negative during postoperative 4 days. Results: Severity of pruritus, but not nausea and vomiting was decreased in group 2 and 3 compared with group 1(p<0.05). Pain score was increased in group 3 at postoperative day(POD) 0 and 2 compared with group 1(p<0.05). Incidence of somnolence in group 1, 2 and 3 were $2.7{\pm}0.7,\;5.3{\pm}0.7$ and $10.0{\pm}1.0$ respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that butorphanol reduce the degree of pruritus, the most common side effect of morphine, but increase the incidence of somnolence.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

Background: Morphine has been commonly used for postoperative pain control. We measured plasma concentrations of morphine and compared the efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) using morphinebupivacaine with intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with morphine for 48 hrs after the end of the operation. Methods: Nineteen patients undergoing Mile's operation were assigned to receive a morphine loading dose of 5 mg followed by IV-PCA with 0.1% morphine (IV-PCA group, n = 9) or a morphine loading dose of 2 mg and 0.125% bupivacaine 10 ml, followed by CEA with 0.004% morphine and 0.075% bupivacaine at a rate of 5 ml/hr (CEA group, n = 10). The plasma concentrations of morphine were measured and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain were recorded at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr postoperatively and the effects on respiration and any other side effects were noted. Results: The mean maximal and minimal levels of plasma morphine were $40.2{\pm}21.2\;ng/ml$ and $23.4{\pm}9.7\;ng/ml$ for the IV-PCA group and $11.8{\pm}3.5\;ng/ml$ and $8.2{\pm}1.9\;ng/ml$ for the CEA group, respectively. Resting and dynamic pain scores were significantly lower in the CEA group than in the IV-PCA group. There were no significant differences for the effects on respiration and for any side effects between the two groups. Conclusions: We evaluated plasma concentrations of morphine with CEA using morphine-bupivacaine and IV-PCA using morphine for the postoperative pain control. The CEA group had better postoperative analgesia than that of the IV-PCA group and the incidence of side effects were not significantly different between the two groups.