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

Broncho-gastric fistula caused by benign gastric ulcer perforation after esophagectomy is very rare. In general anesthesia of a patient with broncho-gastric fistula, in spite of hyperventilation, leakage of the anesthetic gases through fistula may make the patient hypercapneic, and positive pressure ventilation may increase the risk of the pulmanary aspiration by the regurgitation of gastric fluid by stomach distension. For that reason, in this patient, denitrogenation was performed during patient's voluntary respiration with 100% oxygen for 5 minutes, and induction was performed without positive pressure ventilation, and one lung ventilation was carried out. Hypoxemia was followed by one lung ventilation because his pulmonary function was moderate obstructive type and his lung was damaged by aspiration of gastric fluid via broncho-gastric fistula. A low level of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has no significant hemodynamic effect and can maintain the patency of nonventilated lung, so hypoxemia induced by one lung ventilation may be reduced. Thus we carried out one lung ventilation with CPAP (10 cmH2O) in nonventilated lung and blocked broncho-gastric fistula with a bronchial blocker for prevention of both regurgitation of gastric fluid and leakage of anesthetic gases. One lung anesthesia was performed without any problem in this case.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General* ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Anoxia ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Esophagectomy ; Fistula* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Lung ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Oxygen ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiration ; Stomach ; Stomach Ulcer

The classical triad of abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stool is absent in chronic intussusception for more than 2 weeks. Here, we report a 6-year-old female with recurrent abdominal pain for 2 months. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed an ileocolic-type intussusception. The lesion accompanying the tight fibrous adhesion was treated by resection and ileocolic anastomosis. It was diagnosed as intussusception with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A high index of suspicion for abdominal pain in children should result in the correct diagnosis and appropriate management.
Abdominal Pain/*etiology/ultrasonography ; Child ; Constipation/*etiology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception/diagnosis/*etiology/surgery ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/*complications/*diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Purpose: The preemptive use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors may reduce doxorubicin (DOX)-related cardiotoxicity. Using the national insurance claims data of Korea, this study compared cardiovascular (CV) outcomes following the use of four major antihypertensive drug classes in patients with hypertension and breast cancer who underwent DOX-containing chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 4,722 patients with hypertension and breast cancer who underwent DOXcontaining chemotherapy were included. The outcomes were compared between patients who used RAS inhibitors, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), beta-blockers (BBs), and thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics (TDs). The primary outcome was a composite of incident heart failure and serious ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. Results: In the propensity score-matched population, there were no significant differences in the primary outcome between RAS inhibitor and CCB users; however, patients with diabetes who used CCBs had a worse primary outcome than those who used RAS inhibitors (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–3.51). BB and TD users had a worse primary outcome compared with RAS inhibitor (aHR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.30–2.71 in BB users and aHR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.37–4.75 in TD users) or CCB (aHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.09–2.16 in BB users and aHR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.13–3.82 in TD users) users. Conclusion RAS inhibitors are preferred for the treating hypertension and improving CV outcomes in patients with hypertension and breast cancer undergoing DOX-containing chemotherapy, particularly in patients with comorbid diabetes. However, CCBs are equivalent to RAS inhibitors and are more favorable than BBs and TDs in terms of improving CV outcomes.

Objectives: This study examined the current status of depression and related factors among children using community child center. Methods: A cross-sectional study selected children in grades 4-6 who used the Gwangju and Jeollanamdo community child center (n=224) using a convenience sampling method. General characteristics, family characteristics, children's emotional characteristics, children's school life environment and depression status were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Results: The average score of depression among children using community child center was 15.31±7.70 out of a total of 27. Fifty-eight (25.9%) children had depression above 22 points. Variables related to children's depression were shown as grade, subjective economic level awareness, after-school activities excluding local children's centers, presence of family members after school, and family structure. Conclusions The depression prevalence of children using community child center was higher. Policy support such as children's psychological support programs would be needed to reduce children's depression, and community child centers are expected to be effective in reducing children's depression if continuous child psychological support services are developed for children's mental health.

Despite that clinical trials have been examining the safety profile of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, there are concerns about long-term side effects as the number of vaccinations increases. Herein, we report a case of new-onset renal-limited antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis after booster vaccination with the mRNA 1273 (Moderna) vaccine. A 72-year-old woman with no specific past history, and who had a normal renal function, developed ANCAassociated vasculitis following heterologous booster with mRNA1273 (Moderna) vaccine.After a kidney biopsy, she was diagnosed with ANCA-associated pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. Her renal function and constitutional symptoms have been improved with treatment with plasmapheresis, intravenous cyclophosphamide and steroid pulse therapy (intravenous 500 mg of methylprednisolone sodium succinate for 3 days) followed by a reduced steroid regimen.

Ultrasound can be an effective alternative to computed tomography for surveillance following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Recently, ultrasound fusion imaging with the real-time navigation system was introduced. Here we described 3 patients who underwent post-EVAR surveillance using this novel technique. Complete coregistration was achieved in all patients. The origin of left renal artery was selected for the target of coregistration. Ultrasound fusion imaging was useful to differentiate the confusing lesion and to evaluate the complete resolution of endoleak and newly developed delayed endoleak. Ultrasound fusion image with real-time navigation system can be a feasible imaging tool for post-EVAR surveillance.
Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm* ; Endoleak ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Renal Artery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: To determine whether Tc-99mMIBI is recognized by the multidrug resistant P-glycoprotein (Pgp), we have measured quantitatively Tc-99mMIBI uptake in cancer cells. The effects of various Pgp reversing agents on cellular Tc-99m-MIBI uptake were also investigated in the presence of multidrug resistance gene-1 (mdr1 gene) overexpression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured percentage uptake of Tc-99m-MIBI at different incubation temperatures both in mdr1 positive and negative cells. The effects of verapamil, cyclosporin, and dipyridamole on cellular uptake of Tc-99m-MIBI were also evaluated with or without overexpression of mdr1 gene in cultured murine leukemia L1210 cells. RESULTS: The mdr1 gene expressing cell lines were effectively induced in in vitro with continuous application of low-dose adriamycin or vincristine. Cellular uptake of Tc-99m-MIBI was higher in mdr1 negative L1210 cells than those of mdr1 positive cells, and higher when incubated in 37 degree C than 4 degree C. In the presence of verapamil, cyclosporin or dipyridamole, Tc-99m-MIBI uptake was increased upto 604% in mdr1 positive cells. CONCLUSION: Cellular uptake of Tc-99m-MIBI is lower in leukemia cells over-expressing mdr1 gene, and MDR-reversing agents increase cellular uptake. These results suggest that Tc-99m-MIBI can be used for characterizing Pgp expression and developing MDR-reversing agents In vitro.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cyclosporine ; Dipyridamole ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Resistance, Multiple* ; Leukemia L1210 ; Leukemia* ; P-Glycoprotein ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi* ; Verapamil ; Vincristine

Background: Elevated γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GTP) levels are associated with metabolic syndrome. We investigated the association of cumulative exposure to high γ-GTP with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large-scale population. Methods: Using nationally representative data from the Korean National Health Insurance system, 1,640,127 people with 4 years of consecutive γ-GTP measurements from 2009 to 2012 were included and followed up until the end of 2019. For each year of the study period, participants were grouped by the number of exposures to the highest γ-GTP quartile (0–4), and the sum of quartiles (0–12) was defined as cumulative γ-GTP exposure. The hazard ratio for CVD was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: During the 6.4 years of follow-up, there were 15,980 cases (0.97%) of myocardial infarction (MI), 14,563 (0.89%) of stroke, 29,717 (1.81%) of CVD, and 25,916 (1.58%) of death. Persistent exposure to high γ-GTP levels was associated with higher risks of MI, stroke, CVD, and death than those without such exposure. The risks of MI, stroke, CVD, and mortality increased in a dose-dependent manner according to total cumulative γ-GTP (all P for trend <0.0001). Subjects younger than 65 years, with a body mass index <25 kg/m2, and without hypertension or fatty liver showed a stronger relationship between cumulative γ-GTP and the incidence of MI, CVD, and death. Conclusion Cumulative γ-GTP elevation is associated with CVD. γ-GTP could be more widely used as an early marker of CVD risk, especially in individuals without traditional CVD risk factors.

Overnight fasting before elective surgery has been the routine to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Recently, several international guidelines for preoperative fasting recommend to intake carbohydrate-containing fluids up to 2 to 3 hours before the induction of anesthesia to improve postoperative recovery. Based on the recommendations, we developed a "preoperative carbohydrate diet" provided for the preoperative patients. The purpose of this case report is to share our experience of applying preoperative carbohydrate loading prior to surgery.
Anesthesia ; Fasting ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy*