• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.87-90
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• 2015

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients. Methods: From July 2013 to April 2014, 17 patients with multiple trauma had lower extremity nerve block for immediate management of open wound in the lower extremity. We evaluated the patient satisfaction of the anesthesia and any complications related to the block. Results: During the lower extremity nerve block, incomplete nerve block occurred in one patient. This is the second case, the reason for this was the lack of technique. There was no anesthetic complications. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve block in trauma patients is an effective anesthesia technique in the immediate management of open wound in lower extremities.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block by orthopaedist to operate the fracture around ankle. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients, who had an operation for fracture around the ankle under a ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block from January to April 2010, were the targets of this study. We measured the time spent for the ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block, the time taken to start the operation after the nerve block, the time taken to deflate the tourniquet because of a tourniquet pain, the time passed until feeling a postoperative pain after the operation, etc. We also studied the complications and satisfaction of the anesthesia. Results: It took 6.2 (3 to 12) minutes for the nerve block, 46.1 (28 to 75) minutes to start the operation, 52.5 (22 to 78) minutes until feeling a tourniquet pain and 11.5 (7.5 to 19) hours until starting to feeing a postoperative pain. There was no complication by anesthesia and 21 people (95.5%) were satisfied with anesthesia by ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block by orthopaedist in the fracture around ankle reduces anesthetic and nerve injury complication, and leads to high anesthetic success rate. Also it is considered as an effective method to alleviate postoperative pain.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2014

There are several kinds of regional nerve blockades, such as interscalene brachial plexus block, C5 root block, suprascapular nerve block, and axillary nerve block, which can be applied for anesthesia and postoperative pain control after shoulder surgeries. These regional nerve blockades have shown good results, but high failure rate and serious complications, such as phrenic nerve palsy, pneumothorax, and nerve injury, still remain. Ultrasound-guided intervention can increase the success rate of nerve blockades and reduce complications. We described the method of ultrasound-guided intervention for the regional nerve blockades around shoulder.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

Background: Recently, ultrasound has been commonly used. Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) by posterior approach is more commonly used because anterior approach has been reported to have the risk of phrenic nerve injury. However, posterior approach also has the risk of causing nerve injury because there are risks of encountering dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) and long thoracic nerve (LTN). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of encountering DSN and LTN during ultrasound-guided IBPB by posterior approach. Methods: A total of 70 patients who were scheduled for shoulder surgery were enrolled in this study. After deciding insertion site with ultrasound, awake ultrasound-guided IBPB with nerve stimulator by posterior approach was performed. Incidence of muscle twitches (rhomboids, levator scapulae, and serratus anterior muscles) and current intensity immediately before muscle twitches disappeared were recorded. Results: Of the total 70 cases, DSN was encountered in 44 cases (62.8%) and LTN was encountered in 15 cases (21.4%). Both nerves were encountered in 10 cases (14.3%). Neither was encountered in 21 cases (30.4%). The average current measured immediately before the disappearance of muscle twitches was 0.44 mA and 0.50 mA at DSN and LTN, respectively. Conclusions: Physicians should be cautious on the risk of injury related to the anatomical structures of nerves, including DSN and LTN, during ultrasound-guided IBPB by posterior approach. Nerve stimulator could be another option for a safer intervention. Moreover, if there is a motor response, it is recommended to select another way to secure better safety.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.186-190
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• 2009

Sciatic nerve block is frequently used for anesthesia or analgesia during lower leg surgery or chronic lower leg pain syndrome. Recently, a lot of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block has been reported because there are several benefits compared to blind technique. We performed ultrasound-guided right sciatic nerve block successfully to the patient who has been suffering from right buttock pain after previous radiation therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2010

Since the extent of use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in orthopaedic surgery is expanding, popliteal block(sciatic nerve block) and femoral nerve block(saphenous nerve block) are easily and safely performed without complications such as nerve injury or incomplete block. Also, due to the expanding use of ultrasound, orthopaedic surgery of not only foot but also ankle and lower leg could be done without general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. We describe a detailed technique for ultrasound-guided femorosciatic nerve block based on the experience over 120 cases.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 2012

In the domain of orthopaedic surgery, application of regional nerve block for surgery or pain control in upper and lower extremities has been increased. By performing regional block of popliteal (sciatic), femoral, proximal saphenous nerve and ankle block under guidance of ultrasound, not only the safety, but also success rate of the procedure has increased, and amount of local anesthetics could be used less, too. Since the perineural single injection or continuous catheterization of diluted local anesthetics was performed more precisely and easily by the guidance of ultrasound, postoperative pain could be controlled without complications of PCA such as nausea, vomiting, etc. We will discuss about this ultrasound guided regional nerve block.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.287-289
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• 2015

Brachial plexus block (BPB) under ultrasound guidance has come to be widely used. However, nerve injury has been reported following ultrasound-guided BPB. We hypothesized that BPB under ultrasound guidance in conjunction with real-time electrical nerve stimulation would help us prevent nerve injury and do more successful procedure. Here, we report the successful induction and maintenance of ultrasound-guided BPB and the achievement of good peri- and postoperative pain control using a conductive catheter, the EpiStim$^{(R)}$.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.135-139
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• 2016

Purpose: Modified Mau and Akin osteotomy for hallux valgus is followed by moderate to severe postoperative pain. Ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block can be an effective option for pain control. We attempted to evaluate the efficacy of the ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block in controlling postoperative pain. Materials and Methods: The charts of 59 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed between December 2014 and August 2015. Twenty-eight patients (the patient group) has received the ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block after surgery, and 31 patients (the control group) has not received such procedure. The primary outcome was the satisfaction scale for postoperative pain control and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Results: The VAS score at postoperative day one was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. The satisfaction scale for pain control for postoperative 1 day was significantly different between the two groups. In patient group, most patients have rated positively ('strongly agree' 42.9%, 'agree' 42.9%); however, in the control group, the rating scales were distributed relatively negatively ('strongly agree' 9.7%, 'agree' 22.6%, 'neutral' 29.0%, 'disagree' 25.8%, 'strongly disagree' 12.9%). The number of postoperative rescue analgesics injection was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusion: Postoperative ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block was effective for pain relief after hallux valgus surgery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.133-136
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• 2014

Skin grafting is often required for diabetic ulcerative foot lesions. In skin grafting, effective regional or local anesthesia into the donor and recipient areas plays a significant role in continuous control of pain. We report on a technique of ultrasound-guided nerve block on the femoral, sciatic, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves in large split-thickness skin grafting for ulcer of the foot and leg.