BACKGROUND: The last two decades have seen an increase in the incidence of cesarean section. Spinal anesthesia has been popular in cesarean delivery because of the ease and effectiveness, as well as the rapidity in estabilishing adequate levels of analgesia. The clinical effects of subarachnoid administeration of preservative-free fentanyl were assessed in 30 healthy women who underwent cesarean section with spinal anesthesia using 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. METHODS: Sixty parturients were allocated to group I; bupivacaine (n=30) only and group II; bupivacaine/fentanyl mixture (n=30) in random order. The dose of bupivacaine varied from 9~10 mg depending on the patients height. Maximum level of sensory blockade, time to reach T4 level, incidence of hypotension, time to get complete motor recovery, perioperative analgesic effect and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no differences in maximum level of analgesia, time to reach T4 level and to get complete motor recovery, and incidence of hypotension between two groups. However, duration of analgesia was longer in group II with the bupivacaine/fentanyl mixture (191.9 +/- 77.6 min) than in group I with the bupivacaine alone (74.2 +/- 30.8 min). Spinal anesthesia was excellent in 100% of the fentanyl mixture group but in 80% of the bupivacine only group. CONCLUSION: 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine mixed with 25 g fentanyl provided improved perioperative analgesia without affecting the onset of sensory blockade and duration of motor blockade.
Analgesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Bupivacaine ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Pregnancy

PURPOSE: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclesosis and myocardiac infarct. A common mutation in 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR) gene results in a valine for alanine substitution, which makes enzyme thermolabile and reduces enzymal activity. We examined the relation of MTHFR genetic mutation and Kawasaki disease. METHODS: We extracted DNA from the peripheral blood of Kawasaki disease patients who were treated in Ewha University Mokdong Hospital between January 2000 and June 2003, and normal children. We genotyped for the polymorphism by using PCR of known alleic varients and digested them with Hinfl restriction enzyme. Products were visualized after electrophoresis in 2.5% agarose gel. RESULTS:The respective prevalence of the homozygous and heterozygous genotypes(CC genotype, CT genotype, TT genotype) was 33.3%, 38.9%, and 27.8% in the control group and 31.3%, 47.9%, and 20.8% in the Kawasaki disease group(P>0.05). CONCLUSION:The mutation of MTHFR gene shows no relation to development of coronary artery complications in Kawasaki disease.
Alanine ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Child ; Coronary Vessels ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Gene Expression* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sepharose ; Valine

BACKGROUND: The creation of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg positioning during laparoscopic surgery are associated with respiratory changes. We aimed to compare respiratory mechanics while using intravenous propofol and remifentanil vs. sevoflurane during laparoscopic colectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy were randomly allocated to one of the two groups: group PR (propofol-remifentanil group; n = 30), and group S (sevoflurane group; n = 30). Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), and respiratory resistance (Rrs) values at five different time points: 5 minutes after induction of anesthesia (supine position, T1), 3 minutes after pneumoperitoneum (lithotomy position, T2), 3 minutes after pneumoperitoneum while in the lithotomy-Trendelenburg position (T3), 30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum (T4), and 3 minutes after deflation of pneumoperitoneum (T5). RESULTS: In both groups, there were significant increases in PIP and Rrs while Cdyn decreased at times T2, T3, and T4 compared to T1 (P < 0.001). The Rrs of group PR for T2, T3, and T4 were significantly higher than those measured in group S for the corresponding time points (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory mechanics can be adversely affected during laparoscopic colectomy. Respiratory resistance was significantly higher during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia than sevoflurane anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Colectomy* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lung Compliance ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Propofol ; Respiratory Mechanics*

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative acute renal failure (PO-ARF) is an important cause of mortality among surgical patients. Although there have been many reports on PO-ARF after cardiac surgery and liver transplantation, less is known about the risk of PO-ARF after gynecologic operations. We aimed to investigate the risk of PO-ARF on gynecologic malignancy operations. METHODS: 1,155 patients' medical charts were reviewed who underwent therapeutic surgery for gynecologic malignancies from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: Of these, 10 patients, comprising 0.89% of those who underwent radical hysterectomies and 0.86% of those who underwent debulking operations, were diagnosed with PO-ARF. Their mean age was 61.9+/-10.1 years. Five patients had preoperative risk factors. Mean operating time was 360.8+/-96.2 minutes. Five patients experienced intra-operative hypotension and all patients were given blood transfusions during surgery. Eight patients underwent hemodialysis, with two continuing on dialysis to date. Only two patients fully recovered. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing surgery for gynecologic malignancies may be at high risk for PO-ARF, because of old age, long operation times, and profuse bleeding. It is necessary to monitor these patients for postoperative renal function and urine output. If a postoperative oliguric state is detected, aggressive volume expansion should be started immediately, followed by hemodialysis.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Blood Transfusion ; Dialysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Hysterectomy ; Korea ; Liver Transplantation ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Renal Dialysis ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomy was recently introduced and has been rapidly accepted by surgeons and patients. The present study was conducted to estimate and compare the incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after endoscopic thyroidectomy using two different anesthetic methods: sevoflurane based balanced anesthesia; total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). METHODS: Ninety nine female patients that were scheduled to undergo elective endoscopic thyroidectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled. These patients were randomly allocated to receive sevoflurane based balanced anesthesia (BA group) or propofol-remifentanil anesthesia (TIVA group). PONV was evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale, and pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS; range 0 to 100) for 0-2, 2-6, and 6-24 hours postoperatively. At 24 hours postoperatively, overall patient satisfaction regarding PONV and pain were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV was 14.6% in the TIVA group and 51.3% in the BA group. The incidence of nausea at 0-2 and 2-6 hours postoperatively was lower in the TIVA group than in the BA group (4.2% vs. 35.9%, 6.3% vs. 23.1%, respectively), but no between-group difference was observed at 6-24 hours postoperatively (8.3% vs. 5.1%). Antiemetic usage at 0-2 and 2-6 hours was lower in the TIVA than the BA group (4.2% vs. 38.5%, 6.3% vs. 23.1%), but no between-group difference was observed for 6-24 hours (6.3% vs. 7.7%). There were no differences in pain or in patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: After endoscopic thyroidectomy, total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil is associated with less PONV during the early postoperative period (0-6 hours) than sevoflurane based balanced anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Intravenous ; Balanced Anesthesia ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methyl Ethers ; Nausea ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Postoperative Period ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Coughing is a side effect of opioids that is rarely studied. Here, we evaluated the incidence of remifentanil induced coughing during anesthesia induction in an attempt to identify its risk factors and to examine the preventive effects of lidocaine and salbutamol. METHODS: A total of 237 patients scheduled to undergo general anesthesia were allocated randomly into three groups. Group C received no medication, while Group L received 2% lidocaine at 0.5 mg/kg intravenously 1 minute prior to remifentanil infusion and Group S inhaled one metered aerosol puff of salbutamol 15 minutes prior to entering the operating room. Remifentanil was infused at 5 ng/ml by target controlled infusion and coughing was measured for five minutes and graded as none, mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of coughs. RESULTS: The incidences of coughing were 30.4%, 25.3%, and 35.4% in Groups C, L, and S, respectively. The incidences, onset times, and severity of coughing did not differ significantly among groups. In addition, multivariate analysis showed that non-smoking and a lower body weight were risk factors of remifentanil-induced coughing (odds ratio, 8.13; P = 0.024, 1.11, and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of remifentanil-induced coughing was 30%. A total of 0.5 mg/kg lidocaine and 1 metered aerosol puff of salbutamol did not prevent coughing. Non-smoking and low body weight were found to be risk factors of remifentanil-induced coughing.
Albuterol ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Body Weight ; Cough ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lidocaine ; Multivariate Analysis ; Operating Rooms ; Piperidines ; Risk Factors

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) is rare and has pathologically carcinoma and sarcoma components. Among them, primary peritoneal MMMTs are extremely rare, and their proper treatment and prognosis are not well-known. We experienced a case of primary peritoneal origin MMMT, so we report it with a brief review of the literatures.
Peritoneum ; Prognosis ; Sarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To provide clinical information for the best diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant cervical lymphoma based on the information obtained from these cases. METHODS: Between 1989 and 2006, six women with primary malignant cervical lymphoma were diagnosed and treated at our institution. Data were obtained from their medical records and were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age at the time of diagnosis was 63 (range 19-74). The chief complaint was vaginal bleeding in five women and the voiding difficulty for one woman. five of six patient had the cervical lesions (erosion and tumoral mass), while the other was non specific cervical findings. The Papanicolaou test was performed on three women, one of whom was HSIL. All six patients were confirmed with cervical lymphoma through the pathologic diagnosis. Surgical treatment (radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy, pelvic lymph node dissection, and para-aortic lymph node dissection) was performed in one case, simple hysterectomy with complementary chemotherapy in two, and chemotherapy in one. Two patients refused treatment. Among four patients treated, one experienced recurrence in an ovary and the others have remained in remission. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant cervical lymphoma is a rare malignancy. Physicians can miss early detection of this disease because of its 'silent' symptoms and very low incidence. The accumulated data regarding this tumor can make it easy to detect at an early stage, thereby allowing it to be successfully treated. Further studies should be conducted to obtain further information regarding the cervical lymphoma.
Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Incidence ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma* ; Medical Records ; Ovariectomy ; Ovary ; Papanicolaou Test ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Arteries ; Behcet Syndrome ; Central Nervous System ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Oral Ulcer ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior ; Wound Healing

A female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin (FATPWO) is a rare neoplasm believed to originate from Wolffian remnants because the tumors are located in areas where such remnants are abundant. Because FATPWO is so rare that tumor biological behavior is not well defined, especially in cases of ovarian tumors, the collection and investigation of all relevant data, including this case report, are thus crucial to identify the best possible treatment for this type of tumor. We report a 14-year-old girl presented with a huge ovarian tumor that is reminiscent of dysgerminoma on CT scan. Left salpingo-oophorectomy was perfomed. Because the pathologic report on frozen section was malignant neoplasm, additional surgical staging was performed. A ovarian tumor of probable Wolffian origin was diagnosed by the pathologist, finally. No adjuvant therapy was given and there was no clinical evidence of recurrence during the 19 months of follow-up.
Adolescent ; Dysgerminoma ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frozen Sections ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed