Search

Background: Oxytocin may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, including tachycardia and hypotension, whereas the optimal dose of oxytocin at elective cesarean section is unclear. To determine the lowest effective dose of oxytocin, we studied the hemodynamic effects of three doses during spinal anesthesia for elective single cesarean delivery. Methods: Sixty women received oxytocin by continuous (0.5 IU/min) or bolus-continuous (2 or 5 IU prior to 0.25 IU/min continuous intravenous injection) intravenous injection after clamping of the umbilical cord. We compared changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and estimated blood loss (EBL). Uterine tone (UT) was assessed by palpation on a linear analog scale (LAS) at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes after the oxytocin injection. In addition, oxytocin-related side-effects such as nausea and vomiting were recorded. Results: Marked hemodynamic changes such as HR and MAP occurred in the bolus-continuous groups but not in the continuous groups. Although we were not able to observe a variation of EBL in each group, the UT significantly increased in the bolus-continuous groups when compared with that the continuous groups. In addition, the hemodynamic changes such as HR and MAP were lower in the two IU bolus-continuous group than those in the five IU group. Conclusions: Although bolus-continuous injection of oxytocin resulted in more hemodynamic changes than continuous injection, bolus-continuous injection had a greater effect on uterine contraction. Furthermore, two IU bolus-continuous injection showed lower hemodynamic changes than in the five IU bolus-continuous injection. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2011; 61: 482-487)

Background: Deep Hypothermic circulatory Arrest (DHCA) is widely used during heart surgery in neonates and infants and complicated surgeries in adults such as a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). However safe limits of time and temperature during DHCA still remain controversial. Futhermore it's effects on neurologic outcome has been controversial. Methods: On the postoperative 3 days, we examined the neurologic function of 12 patients who received a PTE. During the PTE, DHCA was done 2 or 3 times within 20 minutes. Between DHCAs the patients were perfused at a low flow rate with 18oC blood until their venous saturation returned to 90%. Neurologic evaluations included level of consciousness, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), and motor and sensory functions. Results: Neurologic functions of all of the patients assessed on the 3 days postoperatively was grossly normal. All 12 patients were oriented to time, place, and person with normal gross motor and sensory functions. Conclusions: No significant neurologic complications were related to the technique of two or three times of short DHCA within 20 minutes, for a total not exceeding 60 minutes.

Background: Healthcare quality can be improved by avoiding patient discomforts and customizing care to meet the needs of the patient. Therefore, the goal of this study was to quantify patients' discomfort for postoperative anesthesia outcomes for healthcare quality improvement. Methods: One hundred orthopedic surgical patients were asked to tell possible undesirable postoperative outcomes preoperatively. In addition, they were also asked to tell undesirable postoperative outcomes from their most undesirable to least undesirable outcomes that they have experienced postoperatively. Results: Patients expressed the following undesirable outcomes from most frequent to least frequent (in order); incisional pain, nausea/vomiting, shivering, headache, dizziness, sore throat, residual weakness, generalized myalgia, and somnolence. However, the severity of the symptoms were in the following order; nausea/vomiting, incisional pain, headache, dizziness, shivering, generalized myalgia residual weakness, sore throat, and somnolence. Conclusions: Although there is variability in how patients expressed postoperative outcomes, anesthesiologists can improve the quality of anesthesia by designing anesthesia regimens and methods that most closely meet each individual patient's preferences. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2001; 40: 619∼624) ꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏꠏ

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) for severe emphysema can significantly improve maximal expiratory flow rates and ameliorate dyspnea on exertion, probably by reducing airway resistance and by reducing hyperinflation with corresponding improvement in inspiratory muscle function. We have recently experienced 12 cases of bilateral LVRS in patients with severe emphysema in an effort to improve pulmonary function. Among these patients we examined the relationship between intraoperative spirometry and prognosis of LVRS. Methods: Intraoperative total dynamic lung compliance (CT) and % of breath exhaled in one second (V1.0%) obtained immediately pre-lung reduction was compared with immediate post-lung reduction. In addition we also compared a preoperative pulmonary function test (PFT) [FEV1>, TLC, and FRC] with 3 month postoperative values. Results: Six of the twelve patients demonstrated post-reduction improvement in dynamic CT and V1.0% during LVRS. These six patients demonstrated an increase in FEV and a decrease in TLC, and FRC 3 months after an LVRS. The other six patients without improvement in V1.0% during an LVRS had no change in the PFT three months after an LVRS. Conclusions: It appears that sidestream spirometry with immediate intraoperative measurement of dynamic CT and V1.0% could play a role in predicting the expected follow-up objective PFT; improvement in both CT and V1.0% may predict significant increases in PFT. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2001; 40; 593~598)

Background : Surgical resection of severely emphysematous lung tissue can significantly ameliorate shortness of breath, possibly by reducing dynamic airway compression and auto-PEEP. We utilized online spirometry to examine the intraoperative relationship between expiratory flow rate and compliance changes associated with a reduction pneumoplasty. Methods : Eight surgical patients were anesthetized with IV propofol, isoflurane inhalation and thoracic epidural lidocaine/bupivacaine. A 37 or 39 left double lumen endobronchial tube (DLT) was placed and mechanical ventilation provided with tidal volume set at approximately 10 ml/kg. A Datex Ultima spirometer was placed at the proximal end of the DLT. Copies of flow/volume and pressure/volume curves (3-10 breaths) were obtained on a digital recorder during closed and open chest conditions, and before and after lung reduction. The mean ± SD of expired tidal volume (VT), inspiratory plateau airway pressure (Pplat), respiratory rate, % of breath exhaled in 1 sec (V1.0%), and total dynamic compliance (CT) was measured. Results : After a reduction pneumoplasty, CT decreased by an average 23% with open chest and 35% with closed chest conditions. Three subjects showed improved V1.0%, while 5 showed little change or reduced flow, hence no statistically significant change. There was no significant correlation between change in compliance and change in V1.0%(r2 = 0.24, p = 0.22). Conclusions : An emphysematous reduction pneumoplasty reliably reduces lung compliance. However, reduced lung compliance did not reliably predict improved expiratory flow rates after a reduction pneumoplasty. The further reduction in CT with sternal closure may have been due to the return of dynamic airway compression. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2000; 39: 656-661)