Background: This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) and continuous epidural infusion (CEI) for postoperative analgesia after elective cesarean section (CS). Methods: Seventy-four women who underwent elective CS were randomized to receive either PIEB or CEI. The PIEB group received 4 ml-intermittent boluses of 0.11% ropivacaine every hour at a rate of 120 ml/h. The CEI group received a constant rate of 4 ml/h of 0.11% ropivacaine. The primary outcome was the pain score at rest at 36 h after CS. Secondary outcomes included the pain scores during mobilization, time-weighted pain scores, the incidence of motor blockade, and complications-related epidural analgesia during 36 h after CS. Results: The pain score at rest at 36 h after CS was significantly lower in the PIEB group compared with that in the CEI group (3.0 vs. 0.0; median difference: 2, 95% CI [1, 2], P < 0.001). The mean time-weighted pain scores at rest and during mobilizations were also significantly lower in the PIEB group than in the CEI group (pain at rest; mean difference [MD]: 37.5, 95% CI [24.6, 50.4], P < 0.001/pain during mobilization; MD: 56.6, 95% CI [39.8, 73.5], P < 0.001). The incidence of motor blockade was significantly reduced in the PIEB group compared with that in the CEI group (P < 0.001). Conclusions PIEB provides superior analgesia with less motor blockade than CEI in postpartum women after CS, without any apparent adverse events.

INTRODUCTION: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which is used in difficult airway maintenance conditions during emergencies, is rarely used in prolonged surgery despite its advantages over endotracheal tube (ETT). In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of intraoperative gas exchanges between second-generation LMA and ETT during prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery. METHODS: Prolonged surgery was defined as a surgery lasting more than 2 h. In total, 394 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection via either second-generation LMA or ETT were retrospectively analysed. The following parameters were compared between the two groups of patients: end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (ETCO₂), tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂), pH and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fractional inspired oxygen (PFR) during surgery. In addition, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), including pulmonary aspiration, was compared. RESULTS: The values of ETCO₂, TV, RR and PIP during pneumoperitoneum were comparable between the two groups. Although PaCO₂ at 2 h after induction was higher in patients in the LMA group (40.5 vs. 38.5 mmHg, P < 0.001), the pH and PFR values of the two groups were comparable. The incidence of PPC was similar. CONCLUSION During prolonged laparoscopic abdominal surgery, second-generation LMA facilitates adequate intraoperative gas exchange and may serve as an alternative to ETT.
Humans ; Laryngeal Masks ; Carbon Dioxide ; Retrospective Studies ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Complications/etiology* ; Oxygen

Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) provides optimal analgesia for shoulder surgery. However, several limitations still exist, including the short duration of analgesia, rebound pain, a high incidence of unilateral diaphragmatic paresis, and potential risk of nerve damage, prompting the search for alternative techniques. Many alternatives to ISBPB have been studied to alleviate these concerns, and clinicians should choose an appropriate option based on the patient’s condition. In this mini-review, we aimed to present recent updates on ISBPB while discussing our clinical experiences in shoulder surgery.

Purpose: To lessen the physical, cosmetic, and psychological burden of donors, purely laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) has been proposed as an ideal method for living donors. Our study aimed to prospectively compare the effect of PLDH and 2 other types of open living donor hepatectomy (OLDH) on postoperative pain and recovery. Methods: Sixty donors scheduled to undergo donor hepatectomy between March 2015 and November 2017 were included.Donors were divided into 3 groups by surgical technique: OLDH with a subcostal incision (n = 20), group S; OLDH with an upper midline incision (n = 20), group M; and PLDH (n = 20), group L. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain and analgesic requirement during postoperative day (POD) 3. Other variables regarding postoperative recovery were also analyzed. Results: Although pain relief during POD 3, assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) score and analgesic requirement, was similar among the 3 groups, group L showed lower VAS scores and opioid requirements than group M. Moreover, group L was associated with a rapid postoperative recovery evidenced by the shorter hospital length of stay and more frequent return to normal activity on POD 30. Conclusion This pilot study failed to verify the hypothesis that PLDH reduces postoperative pain. PLDH did not reduce postoperative pain but showed faster recovery than OLDH.

Purpose: To lessen the physical, cosmetic, and psychological burden of donors, purely laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) has been proposed as an ideal method for living donors. Our study aimed to prospectively compare the effect of PLDH and 2 other types of open living donor hepatectomy (OLDH) on postoperative pain and recovery. Methods: Sixty donors scheduled to undergo donor hepatectomy between March 2015 and November 2017 were included.Donors were divided into 3 groups by surgical technique: OLDH with a subcostal incision (n = 20), group S; OLDH with an upper midline incision (n = 20), group M; and PLDH (n = 20), group L. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain and analgesic requirement during postoperative day (POD) 3. Other variables regarding postoperative recovery were also analyzed. Results: Although pain relief during POD 3, assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) score and analgesic requirement, was similar among the 3 groups, group L showed lower VAS scores and opioid requirements than group M. Moreover, group L was associated with a rapid postoperative recovery evidenced by the shorter hospital length of stay and more frequent return to normal activity on POD 30. Conclusion This pilot study failed to verify the hypothesis that PLDH reduces postoperative pain. PLDH did not reduce postoperative pain but showed faster recovery than OLDH.

Background: There have been many reports about decreased analgesic requirements in liver transplant recipients compared with patients undergoing other abdominal surgery.Case: Herein we describe a case in which a 42-year-old man underwent living donor liver transplantation from his monozygotic twin. Because innate pain thresholds may be similar in monozygotic twins, we could effectively investigate postoperative pain in the donor and the recipient. Concordant with previous reports, the recipient used less analgesic than the donor in the present study. Conclusions Physicians caring for patients who have received liver transplantation should consider their comparatively low requirement for analgesic, to prevent delayed recovery due to excessive use of analgesic.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to report intraoperative abortion of adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: From June 1997 to December 2016, 1,179 adult LDLT cases were performed. 15 cases (1.3%) of intraoperative abortions in LDLT were described. RESULTS: Among 15 cases, 5 intraoperative abortions were donor-related, and remaining 10 cases were recipient-related. All donor-related abortions were due to unexpected steatohepatitis. Among remaining 10 recipient-related intraoperative abortions, unexpected extension of hepatocellular carcinoma was related in 5 cases. Two cases of intraoperative abortions were related to bowel inflammation, and 2 cases were associated with severe adhesion related to previous treatment. One recipient with severe pulmonary hypertension was also aborted. CONCLUSION: Complete prevention of aborted LDLT is still not feasible. In this regard, further efforts to minimize intraoperative abortion are required.
Adult* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Fatty Liver ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Inflammation ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Living Donors* ; Postoperative Care

Cervical plexus blocks (CPBs) have been used in various head and neck surgeries to provide adequate anesthesia and/or analgesia; however, the block is performed in a narrow space in the region of the neck that contains many sensitive structures, multiple fascial layers, and complicated innervation. Since the intermediate CPB was introduced in addition to superficial and deep CPBs in 2004, there has been some confusion regarding the nomenclature and definition of CPBs, particularly the intermediate CPB. Additionally, as the role of ultrasound in the head and neck region has expanded, CPBs can be performed more safely and accurately under ultrasound guidance. In this review, the authors will describe the methods, including ultrasound-guided techniques, and clinical applications of conventional deep and superficial CPBs; in addition, the authors will discuss the controversial issues regarding intermediate CPBs, including nomenclature and associated potential adverse effects that may often be neglected, focusing on the anatomy of the cervical fascial layers and cervical plexus. Finally, the authors will attempt to refine the classification of CPB methods based on the target compartments, which can be easily identified under ultrasound guidance, with consideration of the effects of each method of CPB.
Airway Obstruction ; Analgesia ; Anesthesia ; Cervical Plexus Block* ; Cervical Plexus* ; Classification ; Head ; Methods ; Neck ; Ultrasonography