• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.68-75
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• 2001

Background: Thoracotomy is the operation that produces the most postoperative pain, necessitating the highest requirements for postoperative analgesics. The common methods of treating postthoracotomy pain are the use of thoracic epidural analgesia, intemittent or continuous intercostal nerve blocks, intravenous narcotics and cryoanalgesia. We designed to assess the analgesic effect of epidural analgesia, cryoanalgesia and the combined analgesia in thoracic surgery. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in 59 patients undergoing elective thoracotomy for parenchymal disease. Patients were randomized into three groups: C (cryoanalgesia), CE (cryoanalgesia and thoracic epidural analgesia), E (epidural analgesia). All patients had standard anesthesia with endotracheal intubation using a double lumen endotracheal tube, and one-lung ventilation. Subjective pain relief was assessed on a visual analog scale. Analgesic requirements, complications and the degree of satisfaction were evaluated during the 7 days following surgery. Results: Subjective pain relief was significantly better in Group CE and Group E in comparison with Group C (P < 0.05). Cryoanalgesia provided a better pain score on the 6th and 7th POD than the early postoperative periods. Analgesic requirements were higher in Group C than in the Group CE and Group E during the first POD. The incidence of side effects was similar in Group CE and Group E. Conclusions: If we can reduce the concentration of fentanyl and local anesthetics in combined analgesia of epidural and cryoanalgesia, the disadvantages of each method would be overcome and would be a better method of postthoracotomy pain control.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.37-43
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• 1992

Postoperative hypoxemia in the absence of hypoventilation occurs more often after thoracic or upper abdominal surgery than lower abdominal operations or surgery on extremities. Although the factors which produce postoperative alveolar collapse have not been fully evaluated, the dominant factor of postoperative hypoxemia is shunt of blood passing collapsed alveoli and the postoperative pain is associated with restriction of depth of breathing, sighing and movement. In 1979, the first successful clinical usage of epidurally administered morphine for control of postoperative pain was reported by Behar and associates. This study was carried out for twenty patients who received posterolateral thoracostomy with bleb resection between May 1990 and May 1991 and who were primary spontaneous recurrent pneumothoraxes under general endotracheal anesthesia. For the relief of post-thoracotomy pain following of the general anesthesia, we selected ten patients as control group which were treated intermittently IM with injection of pethidine(50 mg) according to the conventional method and another ten patients as study group which were managed with thoracic epidural analgesia. The tip of the catheter was inserted to T4-5 epidural space through T12-L1 or L1-2 interspinous region before the induction of the general anesthesia and then the epidural analgesics(0.25% bupivacaine 15 ml+morphine 3 mg) was injected once a day via the catheter until 4 th POD in the study group. The epidural catheters were removed at postoperative 4 th day in study group. Clinical observations were done about vital signs, ABG, tidal volume, FVC and occurence of adverse effects during postoperative 2hr, 8hr, 1st day, 2nd day, 7th day in both groups. The results were as follows; (1) The values of $V_T$ and FVC were significantly improved in study group(85% and 66%) as compared with control group(76% and 61%) during the postoperative 4 day of the epidural analgesia. (2) After the end of the epidural analgesia(7th POD), the values of FVC were improved invertly rather in control group(98%) than study group(84%). It suggested that the reduction of FVC in study group were caused by the raised pain sensitivity following the end of epidural analgesia. (3) The side effects of epidural analgesia such as transient urinary retention(2 cases), itching sensation(1) and headache(1) were noted.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.434-438
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• 1996

Epidural abscess is associated with placement of epidural catheter is very rare. We experienced two cases of epidural abscess formation after placement of epidural catheter for pain management. A 63 years old female patient received thoracic epidural catheterization for management of pain due to herpes zoster on right T4 dermatome. Two weeks after catheterization, she complained of paraparesis and anesthesia below $T_4$ dermatome. Four weeks later magnetic resonance images was performed and revealed epidural abscess on $T_2-T_5$. Emergent decompressive laminectomy was performed but neurologic symptoms were not improved. In other case, a 75 years old male patient received lumbar epidural catheterization for management of Buerger's disease. About on month later, pus was aspirated from lumbar epidural space. But further evaluation could not be achieved because he wanted to discharge against advice. We emphasize that epidural abscess results sequele serious and prompt diagnosis and treatment is important.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.231-234
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• 1997

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the precise spreading pattern of contrast media in small increments in rabbits. Following pentobarbital anesthesia, the epidural puncture was done surgically with a blunt hook. Methods: The tip of epidural catheter was located at the mid-portion of T7 and T12, in the T7 group (n=7) and T12 group (n=8), respectively. Injection of the contrast media was started at 0.1 mL/kg and increased by 0.1 mL/kg up to a maximum of 0.6, mL/kg, under fluoroscopy. Results: In both groups, the extent of spread increased continuously as a Starling resistor with increasing injected volume(T7 group: $y=4.0+41.8x-28.1x^2$, T12 group: $y=0.2+57.7x-43.5x^2$) the total spread of contrast media was similar. The contrast media spread equally, both rostral and caudal, from catheter tip in T7 group; media spread approximately twice as far rostral as compared to caudal in T12 group (P<0.05). Conclusions: In rabbits, the position of epidural catheter tip should be positioned 2~3 segments below the aimed segment in lower thoracic or lumbar region, whereas in mid-thoracic region it should be positioned close to the level of aimed segment. Rabbits have relatively small epidural space therefore, the volume of injectant should be carefully determined with the suggested equations of this study.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2013

Background: Good postoperative pain control is an important part of adequate postoperative care. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) provided better postoperative analgesia compared to other conventional analgesic methods, but several risks have been observed as well. We therefore surveyed the efficacy and safety of PCEA in this retrospective observational study. Methods: We analyzed collected data on 2,276 elective surgical patients who received PCEA with ropivacaine and fentanyl. Patients were assessed by a PCA service team in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), at 1-6 h, 6-24 h, and 24-48 h postoperatively for adequate pain control. The presence of PCEA-related adverse events was also assessed. Results: Numerical pain score (median [interquartile range]) were 3 [1-4], 5 [4-7], 4 [3-5], and 3 [3-5] in the PACU, at 1-6 h, 6-24 h, and 24-48 h postoperatively. Median pain scores in patients underwent major abdominal or thoracic surgery were higher than other surgical procedure in the PACU, at 1-6 h after surgery. Nausea and vomiting (20%) and numbness and motor weakness (15%) were revealed as major PCEA-related adverse events during the postoperative 48 h period. There were 329 patients (14%) for whom PCEA was ceased within 48 h following surgery. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of PCEA provides proper analgesia in the postoperative 48 h period after a wide variety of surgical procedures and that is associated with few serious complications. However, more careful pain management and sustainable PCEA monitoring considering the type of surgical procedure undergone is needed in patients with PCEA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제39권10호
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• pp.782-785
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• 2006

복부 대동맥류의 수술에 있어서 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환은 수술 사망에 유의한 영향을 미치는 위험 인자로 알려져 있다. 따라서 수술 후 호흡기 합병증을 줄이기 위해서는 강제적 기계 호흡을 줄이고 가능한 환자의 자발 호흡을 유지하는 것이 수술 결과를 향상시킬 수 있다. 본 증례에서는 복부 통증을 주소로 내원한 77세의 남자 환자로 수술 전 검사에서 약 9 cm크기의 복부 대동맥류가 발견되었으나, 심한 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환이 동반되어 수술 후 사망률이 높을 것으로 예상된 경우에서 경막외 마취등을 통해 환자의 자발 호흡을 유지한 상태로 복부 대동맥류 절제 및 인조혈관 삽입술을 시행하여 좋은 결과를 얻을 수 있었다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.235-243
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• 1995

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the effects, and side effects, of epidural analgesia for postoperative pain relief of 2,381 surgical patients who received general-epidural, or epidural anesthesia only. Anesthesia records, patients charts, and pain control records were reviewed and classified according to: age, sex, body weight, department, operation site, epidural puncture site, degree of pain relief by injection mode & epidural injectate, and side effects(including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention and respiratory depression). The results were as follows: 1) From the total of 2,381 patients, there were 1,563(66%) female patients; 1.032(43%) patients were from Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2) Lower abdomen, thorax, lower extremity and upper abdomen in the operation site; and lumbar, upper, lower thoracic in puncture site were order of decreasing frequency. Length of epidural injection for pain relief averaged $1.72{\pm}1.02$ days. 3) Ninety three percent of the patients experienced mild or no pain in the postoperative course. Analgesic quality was not affected by the kind of epidural injectate. 4) Nausea occurred in 3.2% of all patients, vomiting in 1.1%, pruritus 0.9%, urinary retention 0.6%, respiratory depression 0.08%. 5) Frequency of nausea was higher with female patients compared to male patients(p<0.05). 6) Pruritus frequency was higher with male patients than female patients(p<0.05); and more frequent with patients who received epidural injection with morphine than patients who received epidural injection without morphine(p<0.01). 7) Urinary retention was higher in female patients, and more frequent with patients who had received epidural injection with morphine than epidural injection without morphine(p<0.05). 8) There were two cases of respiratory depression. The course of treatment consisted of: cessation of epidural infusion, then administration of oxygen and intravenous naloxone. We conclude that postoperative epidural analgesia with a combination of local anesthetics and opiate is and effective method for postoperative pain relief with low incidence of side effects. However, patients should be carefully evaluated as rare but severe complications of respiratory depression may ensue.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.96-98
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• 2009

Twelfth rib syndrome is thought to be due to intercostal nerve irritation by a mobile twelfth rib, and presents with upper abdominal pain, or low thoracic pain. This syndrome appears to be a fairly common entity and diagnosis is based on clinical findings. Patients with twelfth rib syndrome can be misdiagnosed when it has been overlooked. We report a case of a 34-year-old male along with a presentation of twelfth rib syndrome. One patient was transferred from urologic clinic to pain clinic due to right flank pain and admitted. The patient had direct tenderness on twelfth rib area and direct tenderness was reproducible. Pain increased when the patient flexed laterally, rotated trunk. There were no specific abnormal findings in laboratory test, electrocardiogram, and radiologic examination. After intercostal nerve block and epidural block, pain decreased and the patient was discharged.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.1017-1022
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• 1996

늑골골절을 입은 환자들은 심한 흉통으로 괴로워하며 이 통증은 기침, 심호흡과 기도세척을 방해하여 결국 무기폐와 호흡부전등을 초래할 수 있다. 통증의 완화는 환자를 편하게 해주고 효과적인 물리요법으로 객담배출을 용이하게한다. 늑골골절 환자에서 경막외 신경차단의 효과를 측정하기 위하여 20명의 환자를 대상으로 경막외 진통제을 투여한 10명은 실험군, 진통제를 근육주사한 10명은 대조군으로 정하 여 통증호소와 운동장애의 정도, 말초동맥혈 산소분압 및 폐기능(FRC, FEVI)의 변화를 입원직후와 경막외 진통제투여 시작후 12, 24시간 및 3일, 5일 그리고 7일째에 각각측정조사 하였다. 신경차단군에서 통증호소와 운동장애의 정도는 감소하였고 동맥혈 산소치는 약간 증가하였으나 의의가 없었으며 FRC와 FEVI는 유의하게 증가하였다. 경막외 신경차단의 부작용은가벼웠으며 쉽게 치료되었다. 위의결과로 저자들은 늑골골절 환자에서 경막외 신경차단에 의한진통법이 동통완화효과와 폐기능 향상에 괄목할만한 효과을 나타내므로 이의 임상적 이용이 바람직하다고 생각한다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.809-814
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• 1997

마약성 진통제와 국소마취제에 의한 지속적 경막외마취는 개흉술후 통증감소를 위한 방법으로 널리 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 지난 1994년 1월부터 1995년 7월까지 본원 흉부외과에서 츠방 혹은 후측방 개흉술을 받은 환자 38명을 대상으로 19명씩 실험군과 대조군으로 구분하여 실험군에 경막외마취를 시행하여 그 효과를 조사하였다. 먼저 lidocaine과 norphine을 섞어 경막서 지속적 외도관을 통해 주사하고 그후 bupivacaine과 morphine을 섞어 술후 5∼6일간 지속투여를 하였다. 대조군에 비해 실험군에서 환자의 통증수치와 상지거상능력과 호흡수는 주사추 30분부터 통계적으로 의미 있게 변화되어 술후 통증이 경감되고 있음을 알 수 있었고, 말초동맥혈 이산화탄소분압은 2시간 후부터 통계적으로 의미 있게 줄어들어 환자가 효과적인 호흡을 하고 있음을 알 수 있었다. 술후 재원기간도 의미 있게 줄어들었다. 경막외마취의 주요한 합병증으로는 뇨정체가 있었으나 심각하지는 않았다. 이상의 결과로 우리는 개흉술후 경막외마취가 우수한 통증완화 효과가 있어 술후 폐합병증을 예방하고 술후 빠른 회복에도 좋은 영향을 미치는 것으로 생각한다.