BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that propofol does not inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). However, because the previous studies for the effects of propofol on HPV were established in vivo, the effects of physiologic variables could not be ruled out. Therefore, we investigated the effects of various concentrations of propofol on HPV at isolated rat lungs and the relationship of these effects of propofol on HPV and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and an ATP-dependent K+ channel which were candidates as the mechanism of HPV. METHODS: In 30 isolated rat lungs, after three hypoxic challenges for 5 minutes, we administered saline in the control group, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the L group and glibenclamide in the G group followed by three hypoxic challenges for 5 minutes. In addition, we studied the effects of various concentrations of propofol on HPV in the three groups. RESULTS: L-NAME and glibenclamide did not alter baseline pulmonary arterial pressure but L-NAME significantly enhanced HPV. Clinical concentrations of propofol did not affect HPV and high concentrations of propofol inhibited HPV. The pretreatment of L-NAME and glibenclamide did not alter the inhibition of HPV even at high concentrations of propofol. CONCLUSIONS: The EDRF and ATP-dependent K+ channel did not largely contribute to baseline pulmonary arterial tone but EDRF might be released and downregulate HPV. Clinical concentrations of propofol did not inhibit HPV but high concentrations of propofol inhibited HPV. In addition, the mechanism of inhibition of HPV at high concentrations of propofol did not relate to the EDRF pathway and ATP-dependent K+ channel.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; Glyburide* ; Lung* ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester* ; Propofol* ; Rats* ; Vasoconstriction*

As the use of muscle relaxants routinize in the clinical general anesthesia, the proper estimation of neuromuscular blockade and recovery is needed for the more safe anesthetic management. Three recording methods of measurement in recovery are available; measurement of the evoked mechanical responses (mechanography), measurement of the evoked electrical responses (electromyography), and measurement of the acceleration of the muscle responses, The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations among mechanomyographic, electromyographic and accelerographic responses during recovery from vecuronium induced neuromuscular blockade. 15 ASA class 1 adult patients were studied. Measurements were as follows: 1) Recovery time of T(1)/Tc, of 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% and 100% in each device. 2) Recovery index in each device 3) The values of T(1)>Tc, in EMG and ACC corresponding ta that of MMG. 4) The values of TOF ratio in EMG and ACC corresponding to that of MMG. The results were as follows: 1) Recovery time of T(1).
Acceleration ; Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Vecuronium Bromide*

Severe bronchospasm at the termination of the cardiopulmonary bypass period is an unusual but dangerous complication of open-heart surgery. We report a case of severe unilateral bronchospasm detected at the end of the bypass period on the basis of high airway pressures with remarkable difficulties to deflate the right lung and it was relieved with bronchodilator therapy by intrapulmonary percussive ventilation. Fiberoptic bronchoscopic examination revealed unobstructed, free tracheobnncheal airway and capnographic finding was obstructive pattern. As in the previously published cases, the exact cause of bronchospasm remains unknown in our patient as well, but the possible causes of the bronchospasm are described.
Bronchial Spasm* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Humans ; Lung ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: Since postoperative cognitive impairement is common in elderly patients and normal cognitive function is important for proper use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA), we compared the efficacy, adverse effect and postoperative cognitive impairment among postoperative elderly patients given the PCA morphine, fentanyl and meperidine. METHODS: Forty-five elderly patients were randomly allocated to receive patient-controlled analgesia with either morphine, fentanyl or meperidine following upper abdominal surgery. Patients were evaluated for used doses, adverse effects, visual analogue scale, the satisfaction for analgesia during postoperative 2 days and the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) at posoperative 1 day. RESULTS: Patients receiving the PCA fentanyl used more opioid based on a dose expressed as morphine equivalents using the putative potency ratios of 1:10:0.01 (morphine/meperidine/fentanyl). But adverse effects, visual analogue scale, and the satisfaction for analgesia were not statistically different between groups. The decrease in MMSE in the PCA-meperidine group was significantly greater than that seen in the PCA-fentanyl group and the PCA-morphine group. SPMSQ were not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: The present result suggest that PCA is effective method in posterative elderly without serious complications. But PCA meperidine may be avoided in the elderly because it can contribute to decrease postoperative cognitive function.
Aged* ; Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Morphine ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND: Since postoperative cognitive impairement is common in elderly patients and normal cognitive function is important for proper use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA), we compared the efficacy, adverse effect and postoperative cognitive impairment among postoperative elderly patients given the PCA morphine, fentanyl and meperidine. METHODS: Forty-five elderly patients were randomly allocated to receive patient-controlled analgesia with either morphine, fentanyl or meperidine following upper abdominal surgery. Patients were evaluated for used doses, adverse effects, visual analogue scale, the satisfaction for analgesia during postoperative 2 days and the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) at posoperative 1 day. RESULTS: Patients receiving the PCA fentanyl used more opioid based on a dose expressed as morphine equivalents using the putative potency ratios of 1:10:0.01 (morphine/meperidine/fentanyl). But adverse effects, visual analogue scale, and the satisfaction for analgesia were not statistically different between groups. The decrease in MMSE in the PCA-meperidine group was significantly greater than that seen in the PCA-fentanyl group and the PCA-morphine group. SPMSQ were not statistically different between groups. CONCLUSION: The present result suggest that PCA is effective method in posterative elderly without serious complications. But PCA meperidine may be avoided in the elderly because it can contribute to decrease postoperative cognitive function.
Aged* ; Analgesia ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Meperidine ; Morphine ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid, USA) in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and to determine rifampin resistance. METHODS: The literature review covered the period from 16 August 2011 to 1 October 2011, and eight domestic databases and foreign databases including Ovid-Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were used. Key words, such as 'Rifampin, Polymerase Chain Reaction,' 'GeneXpert' and 'Xpert MTB-RIF' were used to search a total of 1,385 documents. The SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the 20 selected studies. RESULTS: Test accuracy for the detection of M. tuberculosis was assessed on the basis of 20 studies using the M. tuberculosis culture test as the reference standard. The acid-fast bacteria smearing test had a sensitivity in the range of 0.69-1.00, specificity in the range of 0.72-1.00 and test accuracy in the range of 0.75-1.00. Test accuracy regarding rifampin resistance was assessed on the basis of 17 studies. Using an anti-tuberculosis agent sensitivity test as the reference standard, the sensitivity, specificity and test accuracy of real-time, nested PCR were in the ranges of 0.75-1.00, 0.96-1.00 and 0.95-1.00, respectively. CONCLUSION: Xpert MTB/RIF is a useful test for patients suspected of having rifampin-resistant tuberculosis.
Bacteria ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rifampin* ; Tuberculosis*

In patients with upper cervical instability, airway management may provoke subluxation of the craniocervical region and neurologic injury, and can be challenging for the anesthesiologist. Endotracheal intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope is frequently used in these patients to minimize spine motion, but this procedure may fail in patients with altered airway anatomy. When fiberoptic endotracheal intubation fails in these patients, optional intubation methods are limited. We describe successful awake fiberoptic orotracheal intubation using a modified Guedel airway divided in the midline for a 59-year-old man with an anticipated difficult airway, due to limited mouth opening, a nasopharyngeal tumor, and craniocervical spine instability after failure of conventional fiberoptic orotracheal intubation.
Airway Management ; Bronchoscopes ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Neck ; Spine

The purposes of the study was to measure the normal value of peak torque of lumbar extensors at various degrees of lumbar flexion and to compare this with the chronic low back pain patient. 100 normal subjects, 70 men(age, 49.0+/-.3) and 30 women(age, 48.1+/-.4), completed isometric lumbar extension strength test. 26 low back pain subjects, 9 men(age, 35.3+/-4.7) and 17 women(age, 42.6+/-0.1), completed isometric lumbar extension strength test. Normal male peak torques of lumbar extensors were 125+/-8 Ft-1bs at 0 degree, 164+/-3 at 12 degree, 200+/-3 at 24 degree, 221+/-6 at 35 degree, 241+/-0 at 48 degree, 257+/-0 at 60 degree, and 262+/-1 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Normal female peak torques of lumbar extensors were 78+/-4 at 0 degree, 105+/-7 at 12 degree, 120+/-38 at 24 degree, 135+/-5 at 36 degree, 142+/-7 at 48 degree, 151+/-0 at 60 degree, and 157+/-1 at 72 degree of lumbar flexion. Normal peak torques of lumbar extensors increase as degrees of lumbar flexion increase. Body weight in more correlated with peak torque than body mass index. Male peak torques of lumbar extensors with low back pain were 91+/-7 ft-1bs at 0 degree. 129+/-6 at 12 degree, 156+/-7 at 24 degree, 178+/-1 at 36 degree, 197+/-4 at 48 degree, 217+/-1 at 60 degree, and 218+/-2 at 72 degree of lumbar fiexion. Female peak torques of lumbar extensors with low back pain were 45+/-4 at 0 degree, 73+/-8 at 12 degree, 98+/-2 at 24 degree, 117+/-4 at 35 degree, 130+/-0 at 48 degree, 138+/-1 at 60 degree, and 148+/-6 at 72 degree of lumbar fiexion. Peak torques of lumbar extensors with 1cw back pain increase as degrees of lumbar flexion increase. Comparison of the normal male peak torque of lumbar extensors with low back pain group revealed statistical differences at 48 and 72 degree of lumbar extensors. And the female group revealed statistical difference at 0, 12, and 24 degree of lumbar flexion.
Back Pain ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Male ; Reference Values ; Torque

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasolabial cysts are relatively rare and are sometimes confused with tumors due to progressive enlargement. Treatment of a nasolabial cyst consists of sublabial excision or endonasal endoscopic marsupialization (EEM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of nasolabial cysts in order to provide a basis for correct diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients with a nasolabial cyst were surgically treated between December, 1989 and January, 2010 at the Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center. Their clinical features, radiologic and histopathologic findings, and treatment and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patients comprised 51 (80%) women and 13 men (20%), with ages ranging from 16 to 69 years with a mean of 43 years. Swelling of the nasolabial fold was the most frequently experienced symptom. There was no right or left side preponderance. Sublabial excision was applied in 57 cases (89%), while seven cases (11%) were treated via the endonasal approach. There was no case of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Nasolabial cysts should be suspected in patients with swelling of the nasolabial area and nasal obstruction. Enhanced CT may be needed to differentiate from tumors, odontogenic cysts, or other inflammatory lesions. Nasolabial cysts can be successfully treated via sublabial or endonasal approaches. Postoperative complications or recurrence is very rare.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasolabial Fold ; Nose ; Odontogenic Tumors ; Otolaryngology ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: The clinical features of various facial deformities in Korean leprosy patients were evaluated according to the type of leprosy. METHODS: One hundred ninety six patients with leprosy were examined for various facial deformities using a nasal speculum, endoscope, and digital camera. The frequency and severity of external nasal deformities and septal perforations were evaluated according to the type of leprosy. Eye deformities, ear deformities, and facial palsy were also assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients (36.2%) displayed external nasal deformities: 28 minimal contractures, three cartilage contractures, two bony-cartilage contractures, and 38 skin defects. The external nasal deformity and severe form deformity in lepromatous types were more frequent compared to other types (P<0.05 for each variable). Twenty-three patients (9%) displayed septal perforations, among whom 11 had cartilaginous perforations and 12 had bony-cartilaginous perforations. The frequency of septal and bony-cartilaginous perforations did not differ significantly between the types of leprosy (P>0.05 for each variable). Sixty-one patients (31.1%) had eye deformities and 19 patients (9.7%) had facial nerve palsy, common in the borderline type. No cases of ear deformities were observed. CONCLUSION: Korean patients had characteristic deformities according to the type of leprosy. They were different from those seen in the prior analyses of Caucasian populations.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Ear ; Endoscopes ; Eye ; Facial Nerve ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans ; Leprosy ; Paralysis ; Skin ; Surgical Instruments