• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.68-75
• /
• 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
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 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
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.434-438
• /
• 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
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.231-234
• /
• 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
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 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
• /
• v.39 no.10 s.267
• /
• pp.782-785
• /
• 2006

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease is known to be a significant risk factor for mortality in patients who under-went operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm. To decrease perioperative respiratory complication in these patients, maintenance of self respiration as possible is one of the better method. A seventy-seven year old male patient complained of abdominal pain and he was diagnosed for 9 cm sized abdominal aortic aneurysm. But he had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which was expected to increase surgical mortality. So we introduced epidural anesthesia with maintenance of self respiration and performed surgical resection and graft replacement of abdominal aorta, and he recovered without any complication.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 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
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.96-98
• /
• 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
• /
• v.29 no.9
• /
• pp.1017-1022
• /
• 1996

Patients with fractured ribs necessarily suffer from severe chest ain, which prevents coughing, deep breathing and bronchial toilette, cause atelectasis and pulmonary shunting. Relief of chest pain is benecial to patients, providing consort and facilitating physiotherapy and effective expectoration. We compared the efficacy of pain relief be!ween continuous epidural analgesia and conventional intramlrscular analgesia in 20 patients with fractured ribs. Among 20 patients, epidural analgesia was done or 10 patients(experimental group) and the remainder ten received intramuscular analgesia(control group). The pain and ROM(range of motion) scores, vital sign, PaO2, forced vital capacity(FVC) and forced expiratory volume for 1 second(FEVI) were checked on immediate admission and 12, 24 hours, third, fifth, and seventh day after starting of continuous epidural block. The pain and ROM scores were decreased and the PaO2, FRC and FEVI were significantly increased in experimental group. The side effects of epidural analgesia were mild and reversible. With th se result, we can suggest that epidural analgesia is more effective for pain relief and restoration of pulmonary mechanics in patients with fractured ribs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.809-814
• /
• 1997

Continuous epidural pain block with a local anesthetic agents is a commonly employed technique for pain relief after thoracotomy. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the continuous epidural pain block in 19 patients undergoing elective lateral or posterolatrral thoracotomy with control group(n=19) from November 1994 to July 1995, Epidural lidocaine and morphine mixtures were injected via an epidural catheter as a bolus after operation, and then bupivacaine and morphine mixtures were injected continuously following 5 or 6 days. The pain score, upper arm elevation(ROM score), and respiratory rate were significantly changed(P<0.05) from 30min after injection. The CO2 tension of arterial blood was decreased significantly(P<0.05) from 2hr after injection. The postoperative hospital days were decreased significantly(P<0.05). Side effects of the epidural pain block were urinary retention(n= 10), urticaria(n=2) and a case of headache. There was no postoperative lung atelectasis. We conclude that the continuous epidural pain block is good for prevention of the postoperative lung complication and early recovery after thoracotomy.