BACKGROUND: Because the propofol TCI software commands the syringe pump to deliver a rapid infusion at a rate of 1200 ml/hr until the pharmacokinetic model predicts that the selected target concentration has been reached, the hemodynamic changes are predicted. To this change, several methods could be considered and the fentanyl injection is one of them. METHODS: Sixty adult patients scheduled for orthopedic surgery were randomly alldegrees Cated into four groups according to amount of fentanyl injected during induction period(group 1: no fentanyl, group 2: 0.75 microgram/kg, group 3: 1.5 microgram/kg, group 4: 3.0 microgram/kg). Target plasma concentration of propofol was selected as 4.0 microgram/ml and this concentration was achieved using modification of Prys-Roberts method. We evaluated the hemodynamic effect of various doses of fentanyl that injected at Vdpeak effect time and determined the optimal dose of fentanyl during propofol induction using TCI mode. RESULTS: Induction dose(range: 1.25~1.31 mg/kg) of propofol and induction time(range: 46~76 sec) showed no difference among groups. Use of fentanyl was effective for blood pressure stability immediately after intubation, but not effective before and 3 min following intubation. The higher the dosage of fentanyl, the more stable the heart rate. CONCLUSION: It suggest that use of fentanyl for the prevention of abrupt hemodynamic change during propofol induction using target controlled infusion mode is not necessary.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Orthopedics ; Plasma ; Propofol* ; Syringes

"We retrospectively reviewed the results of 1,850 fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid nodules performed from 1990 to 1991 in the Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital. Among 1,528 cases and 322 cases aspirated by clinicians and a pathologist, 465 cases (30.4%) and 13 cases (4.0%) of the aspirates were inadequate, respectively. In 227 cases, correlation of the FNAC diagnosis and histologic diagnosis was done. Excluding the inadequate cases, the sensitivity for the detection of neoplasm (malignancy together with follicular adenoma) was 86.4% and the specificity was 70.7%. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 79.0%. There were 16 false-positive cases (7.0%), and 19 false-negative cases (8.4%). The predictive value of each cytologic diagnosis was 92% in papillary carcinoma, and 100% in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The expectancy of malignancy was 52.8% in ""suspicious malignancy"" and 26.7% in ""atypical lesion""."
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Nodule ; Thyroiditis

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) has been known to have antimicrobial activity, and the increased NO production in case of sepsis may play as a physiologic defense mechanism. However the increased formation of NO by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been known to be implicated in pathophysiology of a variety of disease, including circulatory and septic shock. We measured the iNOS activities of mouse macrophage after application of various drugs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and gamma-interferon (IFN). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inhibiting properties of various drugs to iNOS in case of sepsis. METHOD: Thirty ICR (Institue for Cancer Research) mouse weighting 30~40 gm were anesthetized with diethyl ether, and thiogycol broth was injected into peritoneal cavity. Two days later macrophages were collected from peritoneal cavity, and incubated for 24 hours in the CO2 incubator with LPS and IFN mixture and various concentration of dexamethasone, pentoxifylline, aspirin, aprotinin, regular insulin (RI) and neutral protamine hagedorn insulin (NPH). NO concentration were calculating by measuring nitrite concentration which represent the magnitude of NO production. The activities of iNOS in macrophages were measured by analysing iNOS m-RNA expression by Northern blot analysis with autoradiography using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULT: The basic NO concentration was 13.0 +/- 8.0 micrometer. With LPS and IFN, NO concentration was increased to 104.4 +/- 31.9 micrometer. The increase in NO production by LPS and IFN was attenuated by dexamethasone (10 (-6) M only), pentoxifylline (above 10 (-10) M), aprotinin, RI, and NPH in dose dependent manner. The addition of LPS and IFN in the culture media caused increase in the iNOS m-RNA production. The aprotinin, RI, and NPH attenuated the increase in iNOS m-RNA production by LPS and IFN. Coclusion: These results suggest that the aprotinin, RI, and NPH prevent the LPS and IFN induced increase of NO production by attenuating the iNOS activity. These properties of aprotinin and insulin may be applied to the treatment of septic shock to block the enhanced formation of NO production.
Animals ; Aprotinin* ; Aspirin ; Autoradiography ; Blotting, Northern ; Culture Media ; Dexamethasone ; Ether ; Incubators ; Insulin* ; Insulin, Isophane ; Interferon-gamma ; Macrophages* ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II* ; Pentoxifylline ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sepsis ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND: Skin incision has been used as a standard stimulus in most concentration versus response relationship studies for anesthetics. However, skin incision is not the most intense stimulation and inconvenient method during operation. Mean arterial blood pressure, but not heart rate, is convenient and predicts surgical stress as well as propofol blood concentration. We evaluated the effects of different fentanyl concentration on propofol-fentanyl-N20 anesthesia using mean arterial blood pressure as an indicator of surgical stress during operation. METHODS: Eighty ASA I or II patients (age: 20~55 yrs) scheduled for spine fusion were randomly allocated to four groups according to expected fentanyl blood concentration (Group 1, 2, 3, 4: 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 ng/ml respectively, n=20 for each group). Fentanyl was infused according to isoconcentration nomogram, and propofol infusion rate was titrated by changes of mean arterial blood pressure (0~12 mg/kg/hr). Fifteen minutes before expected end of surgery, propofol and fentanyl infusion were discontinued. Thereafter IV-PCA using fentanyl was applied for postoperative pain relief. Average propofol flow rate, recovery of orientation, verbal rating scale were cheked. RESULTS: Group 2, 3, 4 showed decreased average propofol flow rate, delayed recovery and decreased postoperative 24 hr fentanyl requirement for pain relief gradually compared with group 1. Group 4 showed ceiling effect in terms of average propofol flow rate, recovery of orientation and 24 hr fentanyl requirement for postoprerative pain relief compared with group 1~3. CONCLUSIONS: Keep the fentanyl concentration below 3.0~4.5 ng/ml and titrate propofol flow rate was reasonable method for adequate control of drug infusion during a propofol-fentanyl-N20 anesthesia.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthetics ; Arterial Pressure ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nomograms ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Propofol ; Skin ; Spine

We present a case of a 19-year-old male with portal vein gas embolism resulting from accidental ingestion of 35% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used germicidal cleansing agent. When it is applied to tissues, catalase causes its rapid molecular decomposition with the release of oxygen bubbles. The patient recovered without sequelae. Hyperbaric oxygenation may be of benefit in patients with respiratory compromise or central nervous system symptoms from gas embolism in hydrogen peroxide ingestion.
Catalase ; Central Nervous System ; Detergents ; Eating* ; Embolism, Air* ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide* ; Hydrogen* ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Male ; Oxygen ; Portal Vein* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: N2O has a unique analgesic effect and reduces the amount of hypnotics for preventing surgical stimuli during maintenance of anesthesia. Also, it was reported that high concentrations of N2O affect level of consciousness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhaled concentrations of N2O during emergence on awakening time after propofol-N2O-O2 anesthesia. METHODS: Sixty ASA class I or II patients scheduled for lower extremity surgery were randomly allocated to one of three groups according to inhaled concentration of N2O during emergence. Group 1: 0% N2O (n = 20), group 2: 33% N2O (n = 20) and group 3: 50% N2O (n = 20). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol (Ct: 3.5 6 microgram/ml)-67% N2O-33% O2 and the target concentration of propofol was kept at 4 microgram/ml at least 30 min before the end of infusion of propofol using TCI. At the time of skin closure, we discontinued the propofol, maintained the allocated concentration of N2O and continuously checked vital signs, current/effect concentration of propofol, bispectral index (BIS), and elapsed time until eye opening to verbal contact (awakening time). RESULTS: Awakening time and bispectral index significantly increased as the inhaled concentration of N2O was higher. At awakening time, The predicted current/effect site concentrations of propofol significantly decreased as the inhaled concentrations of N2O were increased. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous inhalation of N2O after discontinuation of propofol infusion significantly delayed the awakening time after propofol-N2O-O2 anesthesia using TCI.
Anesthesia* ; Consciousness ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Inhalation ; Lower Extremity ; Propofol ; Skin ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) is designed to achieve a predicted target blood concentration based on population pharmacokinetics and it provides the closest approximation for any individual patients. This study determined which target is appropriate for propofol induction using a TCI in korean adullt patients premedicated with midazolam. METHODS: Sixty six patients (ASA I or II, 18~55 years) premedicated with midazolam were allocated randomly to receive an infusion to achieve and maintain a target blood concentration of 3, 4, 5 and 6 microgram/ml using a TCI. Induction time was measured as the interval from the start of the infusion to loss of verbal contact and induction within 3 min was considered as successful. Calculated concentration, induction dose, context sensitive decrement time, vital signs, pain score and side effects were checked and compared each other during induction period. RESULTS: The success rate when the target was 3 microgram/ml was 25%, 58.8%, 77.8% and 100% when targets were 4 microgram/ml, 5 microgram/ml and 6 microgram/ml respectively. EC50 for induction was 3.87 microgram/ml and EC95 was 5.71 microgram/ml. Calculated concentration, induction dose, context sensitive decrement time in 3, 4, 5 microgram/ml group showed no differences among groups, but 6 microgram/ml group showed statistically significant differences compared with other groups. Vital signs, pain score and side effects showed no differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Target concentration of 5~6 microgram/ml would successfully induce anesthesia in the majority of patients premedicated with midazolam without major hemodynamic changes.
Anesthesia* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Midazolam ; Pharmacokinetics ; Propofol* ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) improves the survival of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been recommended as a first-line therapy for nonsurgical patients with large or multifocal HCC. The long-term outcome of HCC patients receiving TACE prior to hepatic resection is uncertain. METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2007, 1,530 patients underwent hepatic resection for HCC at our center. Thirty-two patients received 1~12 sessions of TACE followed by surgical resection (TACE-surgery group). Their overall and recurrence-free survival rates were compared with those of 64 age- and sex-matched controls who underwent surgery only (surgery group). Overall and recurrence-free survival rates were analyzed. RESULTS: The 1-, 2-, and 5-year overall survival rates did not differ significantly between the TACE-surgery group and the surgery group (78%, 60%, and 26%, respectively, vs. 97%, 83%, and 45%, respectively; P=0.11); however, the 1-, 2-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were significantly lower in the TACE-surgery group than in the surgery group (58%, 36%, and 7%, respectively, vs. 77%, 58%, and 32%, respectively; P=0.01). The distribution of recurrence sites in the TACE-surgery group were intrahepatic in 85.7% and extrahepatic in 14.3%, and did not differ from those in the surgery group (91.4% and 8.6%, respectively; P=0.66). CONCLUSIONS: HCC patients who underwent TACE before resection appear to have overall survival rates that are comparable to those without preoperative therapy, although recurrence rates appear to be higher in patients with TACE.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality/surgery/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin/administration & dosage ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatitis B/complications ; Hepatitis C/complications ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/mortality/surgery/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Preoperative Care ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate

BACKGROUND: Ketamine as an analgesic adjunct in propofol-based anesthesia has the benefit of potent analgesic action and more stable vital signs due to sympathetic stimulation. However, its impact on the bispectral index and speed of recovery is still controvertial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous infusion of low concentrations of ketamine (0.1 microgram/ml) on the bispectral index and speed of recovery from propofol-N2O-O2 anesthesia. METHODS: Forty ASA I or II adult patients scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery were randomly allocated to one of two groups according to intraoperative ketamine use. In group P, anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol (Ct: 3 - 6 microgram/ml), 67% nitrous oxide and 33% oxygen and the target concentration of propofol was kept at 4 microgram/ml at least 20 min before the end of propofol infusion. In group P + K, the method of anesthesia was same as in group P, but the low concentration (0.1 microgram/ml) of ketamine was continuously infused until discontinuation of propofol using computer-assisted continuous infusion. Bispectral index, recovery time from anesthesia, current/effect concentration of drugs, vital signs before and at induction, end of drug infusion, eye opening time on verbal command, and orientation time were checked. RESULTS: Changes in vital signs showed no differences between the groups. For bispectral index, there was no difference between groups initially, but it was higher (4 - 8) after the end of drug infusion in group P K than in group P. Also, recovery from anesthesia was delayed significantly in group P + K (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From these observations, we concluded that the use of low concentrations of ketamine during propofol-N2O-O2 anesthesia increased BIS, delayed eye opening and recovery from anesthesia without any benefit to vital sign stability.
Adult ; Anesthesia* ; Humans ; Ketamine* ; Nitrous Oxide ; Orthopedics ; Oxygen ; Propofol ; Vital Signs

Many researchers have reported that smoking enhanced psychomotor performance in healthy subjects, but little is known about the effects of cigarette smoking on psychomotor performance in schizophrenic patients who have a high prevalence of smoking and various psychomotor dysfunctions. The author investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on psychomotor performance in schizophrenic patients. Subjects were grouped into (1) smokers with no smoking for 90 minutes prior to testing, (2) smokers with smoking a cigarette after 90 minutes abstinence prior to testing and (3) nonsmokers. The scores of Motor performance series(MPS) and Decision-reaction timer(DRT) were compared among these three groups. No significant differences were found in MPS. In DRT, schizophrenic smokers with smoking a cigarette after 90 minutes abstinence prior to testing showed significantly shorter reaction time and decision time but no significant differences in motor time and correct response rate. In conclusion, this study suggests that smoking enhances cognitive processes in schizophrenic patients but does not influence motor performance.
Humans ; Prevalence ; Psychomotor Performance* ; Reaction Time ; Schizophrenia ; Smoke ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products*