Background: Ultrasound-guided first sacral transforaminal epidural steroid injection (S1 TFESI) is a useful and easily applicable alternative to fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) in lumbosacral radiculopathy. When a needle approach is used, poor visualization of the needle tip reduces the accuracy of the procedure, increasing its difficulty. This study aimed to improve ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI by evaluating radiological S1 posterior foramen data obtained using three-dimensional CT (3D-CT). Methods: Axial 3D-CT images of the pelvis were retrospectively analyzed. The radiological measurements obtained from the images included 1st posterior sacral foramen depth (S1D, mm), 1st posterior sacral foramen width (S1W, mm), the angle of the 1st posterior sacral foramen (S1A, °), and 1st posterior sacral foramen distance (S1ds, mm). The relationship between the demographic factors and measured values were then analyzed. Results: A total of 632 patients (287 male and 345 female) were examined. The mean S1D values for males and females were 11.9 ± 1.9 mm and 10.6 ± 1.8 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean S1A 28.2 ± 4.8° and 30.1 ± 4.9°, respectively (P < 0.001); and the mean S1ds, 24.1 ± 2.9 mm and 22.9 ± 2.6 mm, respectively (P < 0.001); however, the mean S1W values were not significantly different. Height was the only significant predictor of S1D (β =0.318, P = 0.004). Conclusions Ultrasound-guided S1 TFESI performance and safety may be improved with adjustment of needle insertion depth congruent with the patient’s height.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare temperatures measured at three different sites where a nasopharyngeal temperature probe is commonly placed. METHODS: Eighty elective abdominal surgical patients were enrolled. After anesthesia induction, four temperature probes were placed at the nasal cavity, upper portion of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the esophagus. The placement of the nasopharyngeal temperature probes was evaluated using a flexible nasendoscope, and the depth from the nares was measured. The four temperatures were simultaneously recorded at 10-minute intervals for 60 minutes. RESULTS: The average depths of the probes that were placed in the nasal cavity, upper nasopharynx, and the oropharynx were respectively 5.7 ± 0.9 cm, 9.9 ± 0.7 cm, and 13.6 ± 1.7 cm from the nares. In the baseline temperatures, the temperature differences were significantly greater in the nasal cavity 0.32 (95% CI; 0.27-0.37)℃ than in the nasopharynx 0.02 (0.01-0.04)℃, and oropharynx 0.02 (−0.01 to 0.05)℃ compared with the esophagus (P < 0.001). These differences were maintained for 60 minutes. Twenty patients showed a 0.5℃ or greater temperature difference between the nasal cavity and the esophagus, but no patient showed such a difference at the nasopharynx and oropharynx. CONCLUSIONS: During general anesthesia, the temperatures measured at the upper nasopharynx and the oropharynx, but not the nasal cavity, reflected the core temperature. Therefore, the authors recommend that a probe should be placed at the nasopharynx (≈ 10 cm) or oropharynx (≈ 14 cm) with mucosal attachment for accurate core temperature measurement.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Body Temperature ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasopharynx ; Oropharynx ; Thermometers

No abstract available.
Anesthesia* ; Respiration*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Masks* ; Respiration*

No abstract available.
Anesthesia, General* ; Laryngoscopy* ; Vocal Cord Paralysis* ; Vocal Cords*

No abstract available.
Intubation*

Lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that is characterized by the progressive proliferation of atypical smooth muscle-like cells, which leads to severe respiratory impairment and death. Dyspnea, cough, recurrent pneumothorax, and hemoptysis are the most common clinical symptoms of LAM. We report a 29-year-old female patient with massive hemoptysis during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia, who was diagnosed with pulmonary LAM.
Adult ; Anesthesia, General ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung Diseases ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; Pneumothorax

BACKGROUND: A preanesthetic visit can increase a patient's satisfaction. However, it is uncertain whether a preanesthetic visit by an anesthesiology resident can achieve the goal. We studied the time distribution for content of preanesthetic interviews (PI) and evaluated the patient's satisfaction with the PI. METHODS: We recorded the PI duration of 200 patients by a voice recorder. The degrees of patient satisfaction with the PI and the changes of anxiety level after the PI were quantified by a questionnaire. We analyzed the time distribution for content of the PI and the correlation between patient characteristics and PI duration or a patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The total PI duration was 184 (134-286) sec (median, 25-75%), and the time distributions for content of the PI were 8 (5-10) of greeting, 45 (23-70) of history taking, 15 (10-20) of physical examination, 50 (25-98) for obtainingan informed consent, 20 (10-30) of explanation for anesthetic planning, 15 (5-28) for explanation of patient controlled analgesia, and 10 (0-4) sec for questions and answers. Age, ASA physical status, and educational level were correlated with PI duration (P < 0.001). The patient's level of satisfaction was "very satisfied" in 39%, "satisfied" in 50%, and "moderate" in 11% of interviews. The anxiety level was "decreased" in 50%, "increased" in 8%, and "not changed" in 42% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the duration of a PI given by residents was a relatively short, 89% of patients of were satisfied with the interview. The PI took a longer time to complete in patients of older age, higher ASA physical status, or lower educational levels.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Anesthesiology ; Anxiety ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Patient Satisfaction ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Voice

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is widely used for cardiac surgery by virtue of its proven safety over the course of its use during the past half century. Even though perfusion is safer, incidents still occur. During the repair of a ventricular-septal defect in an 11-month-old infant, we experienced a critical incident related to the potential hazardous effect of volatile anesthetics on the polycarbonate connector of extra-corporeal circuit. The damage to the polycarbonate connector had occurred after spillage of isoflurane during the filling of the vaporizer, causing it to crack and leak. The incident was managed by replacement of the cracked connector during a temporary circulatory arrest. The patient was hypothermic and the time off bypass was less than 1.5 min. There were no neurologic sequelae, the patient made an uneventful recovery. In conclusion, the spillage of volatile anesthetics can cause cracks in the polycarbonate connector of the extra-corporeal circuit, leading to potentially interruption of CPB.
Anesthetics ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Humans ; Infant ; Isoflurane ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Perfusion ; Polycarboxylate Cement ; Thoracic Surgery ; Virtues

BACKGROUND: In the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation (KNHIC), payment for inhaled anesthetics are made according to the simulated dose and not the consumed dose. We compare the consumption of inhaled anesthetics according to fresh gas flow (FGF) and anesthetic circuits to compare the consumption of anesthetics and the guidelines for KNHIC payments. METHODS: 161 patients were randomized into six groups who received isoflurane using a closed circuit (group I-C), a semi-closed circuit with FGF 3 L/min (group I-3), or 4 L/min (group I-4), as for the sevoflurane group (group S-C, S-3, and S-4). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were maintained within +/- 20% of baseline. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) and consumption of inhaled anesthetics were recorded by a new anesthetic machine. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups for MAP, HR, and MAC. During anesthesia maintenance, the mean consumption per 15 minutes of inhaled anesthetics was significantly lower in group I-C (1.0 +/- 0.3 ml) than in group I-3 (3.5 +/- 0.7 ml) and than group I-4 (4.9 +/- 0.9 ml) and similar to the sevoflurane groups (group S-C [1.3 +/- 0.4 ml] vs group S-3 [5.3 +/- 1.0 ml] vs group S-4 [6.9 +/- 1.3 ml], respectively; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In sevoflurane groups, inhaled anesthetics were consumed more than in isoflurane groups. The KNHIC payment guidelines were close to the actual consumption of inhaled anesthetics under using a semi-closed circuit with FGF 3 L/min in sevoflurane and FGF 4 L/min in isoflurane.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics ; Arterial Pressure ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Isoflurane ; Methyl Ethers ; National Health Programs