BACKGROUND: One of the main disadvantages of caudal block is the long latent period before a satisfactory blockade is obtained. Many investigators have used various preparations of local anesthetic solutions to improve the speed of onset. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of prewarming of lidocaine HCl for caudal block. METHODS: Fifty healthy young patients (ASA I) were allocated into two groups, A and B. In group A, the local anesthetic solution were injected at room temperature (25 degrees C), while in group B, they were injected at 37oC. All the caudal block were performed using 2% lidocaine HCl 20 ml with fentanyl 100ug and epinephrine 1:200,000. The onset time was defined as the period from completion of injection until the patient first noticed loss of sensation to pin-prick on perianal region. Assessment of sensory loss was made at 15 seconds interval. We have compared the onset of sensory blockade between groups. The duration of analgesia and any significant side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly faster in group B (3.5 +/- 0.5 minutes) than group A (6.2 +/- 0.9 minutes). The duration of analgesia were not significantly changed between groups. Side effects of urinary retention, pruritus and nausea were noted between both groups but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the onset time was 44% faster with warm lidocaine-fentanyl mixture (37 degrees C) than with the room temperature (25 degrees C). The improved clinical usefulness was achieved with no increase in side effects. The technique is a safe and effective method to reduce the latency of onset.
Analgesia ; Epinephrine ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Research Personnel ; Sensation ; Urinary Retention

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate whether maternal body mass index measured before pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery. METHODS: Maternal weight and height were prospectively collected on 819 women who delivered between 37 weeks and 42 weeks in the College of Medicine, Catholic University of Taegu-Hyosung. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square tests, prepregnancy maternal weight and height were used to calculate the body mass index, and its contribution to the risk of cesarean delivery was determined. Women with congenital anomaly and pregestational diabetes were exclude from analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of risk factors for cesarean delivery in the 819 women revealed a decreased risk of cesarean delivery with maternal age < or =20 years and multiparity; increased risk of cesarean delivery was noted with maternal age >30 years. Increase in prepregnancy maternal body mass index and total weight gain were significantly associated with increase in the odds of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: The risk of cesarean delivery is associated with incremental changes in maternal weight and body mass index before pregnancy after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Prepregnancy counseling about optimizing maternal weight and monitoring weight gain during pregnancy to decrease the risk of cesarean delivery are supported by this study.
Body Mass Index* ; Counseling ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Weight Gain

No abstract available.
Neck* ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction* ; Urinary Bladder*

BACKGROUND: Core hypothermia after induction of anesthesia results from an core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat and a loss of body heat to environment. The purpose of this study is finding body temperatures during operation by either general of epidural anesthesia and evaluates content of total body heat. METHODS: We measured tympanic membrane temperature, 4 point skin temperature (mid calf, mid thigh, upper extremity, nipple). And we calculate mean skin temperature, mean body temperature, total body heat content changes based on tympanic membrane temperature and 4 point skin temperature. RESULTS: Tympanic membrane temperature of the first group decreased significantly after 10 minutes of induction (p<0.005), the second group decreased after 45 minutes of induction. Although upper extremity temperature has continuously increased as time passed, there was no significant difference in both group. Lower extremity temperature has significantly increased after 30 minutes of induction in the first group, and the second group has significantly increased after 10 minutes of induction (p<0.05). Mean skin temperature hasdecreasd temperaturily in both group after 10 minutes of induction and increased as time passed. Mean body temperature of the first group has significantly decreased after 10 minutes of induction (p<0.05) and second group has no significant changes. Total body heat content has continuously decreased after induction with no significance. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthesia reveals more significant decrease than epidural anesthesia. Both groups show significant decrease of body temperature after induction. We think that we need to close attention to temperature changes after induction for preventing possible side effects due to core hypothermia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Anesthesia, General* ; Body Temperature Changes* ; Body Temperature* ; Hot Temperature ; Hypothermia ; Lower Extremity ; Skin Temperature ; Thigh ; Tympanic Membrane ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: Despite the clinical and socio-economic impact of acute poisoned patients, many of the treatments are not standardized in Korea. Moreover, no formal training that is specifically focused on clinical toxicology exists. Rather, training and education are conducted case by case in various institutions. This study was conducted to develop a standardized simulation-based clinical toxicology training curriculum for healthcare providers. This program will focus on specific assessment and treatment of critical toxicology patients, specifically those who have been poisoned with organophosphate. METHODS: The study was performed using a pre- and post-design to determine the effects of implementation of this program. The study was conducted at eight different urban teaching hospitals in a simulated room in the clinical area. The study was targeted to 19 groups composed of emergency residents and nurses. Simulation-based learning was conducted for each group. RESULTS: All 19 groups achieved the minimum passing score of 75%. Implementation of the program led to improved performance rates for overall management and cooperative moods competency (p<0.01). Inter-rater agreement between the two evaluators was excellent. In general, the participants thought the program was realistic and were able to recognize and improve the competencies needed to care for organophosphate poisoned patients. CONCLUSION: Simulation-based learning is an effective educational strategy that can be applied to improving and understanding proper care for rare but critical patients. This program was effective at improving team performance and cooperative moods when managing an organophosphate poisoned patient in the Emergency Department.
Critical Illness* ; Curriculum ; Education ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Health Personnel ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning* ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Practice Guidelines as Topic* ; Simulation Training ; Toxicology

No abstract available.
Neural Plate* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Poisoning*

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess the value of resistance index(RI) and pulsatility index(PI) to differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian tumors by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. METHODS: 129 ovarian tumors identified with ultrasound were referred for color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound evaluation to calculate the lowest RI and PI, and the corresponding histopathologic diagnosis was recorded. RESULTS: The intratumor artery waveforms were obtained in 37.1%(36 of 97) of benign tumors and in 91.0%(29 of 32) of the malignant group. RI and PI were lower in malignant tumors than in benign tumors(p<0.01). Also, there was a significant incremental decrease in both indices value from the benign tumor toward borderline malignancy(p<0.05) and to invasive ovarian cancer(p<0.01). But, there was no significant difference in both indices value according to the FIGO stage of ovarian malignancy. For RI cut-off value of 0.6, sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 91.7%; for PI cut-off value of 1.1, 86.2% and 91.7%. Therefore, the most accurate cut-off values of RI and PI were 0.6 and 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: RI and PI calculated by color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound can help in the diagnosis and selection of treatment plan of ovarian tumors, especially when the morphological finding of ovarian tumor is equivocal. And during the follow up of benign tumors, both indicies can give us the clue of malignant potential of benign tumors.
Arteries ; Diagnosis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Pregnancy*