Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology
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New diagnostic and therapeutic devices for patients with chronic intractable pain are used in Japan. The following articles describe topics of new diagnostic and therapeutic devices for patients with chronic intractable pain including thermography, functional MRI, device for the quantitative analysis of perception and pain sensation, epiduroscopy, device for phototherapy, Racz catheter and device for spinal cord stimulation (SCS).
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Case Reports
[A case of delayed arousal after anesthesia due to aberrant epidural catheter placement in a blood vessel].
A 71-year-old man underwent a total gastrectomy. An epidural catheter was inserted before the induction of general anesthesia. Blood was withdrawn from an epidural catheter inserted at T8-9 interspace with a median approach. ⋯ When we carefully aspirated the epidural catheter, fresh blood was withdrawn from the catheter. We confirmed that the delayed arousal was due to the administration of ropivacaine into the blood by aberrant epidural catheter placement in a blood vessel. Unaccountable tachycardia and mild hypertension observed persistently during the operation would have been the warning to the toxicity of local anesthetics during general anesthesia.
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In recent years, failed back neck surgery syndrome (FBNSS) has been increasing as the number of spinal surgeries rises. In particular, the frequencies of surgeries for intervertebral disk herniation and spinal stenosis are high, and FBNSS is commonly attributable to these procedures. FBNSS is a challenging disease for us pain clinicians, and its causes and treatment methods are diverse. ⋯ In contrast, Racz Spring Guide Catheters epidural neuroplasty can be carried out in outpatient settings, is less invasive and achieves excellent pain relief. Because of the superior performance and handiness of the Racz Spring Guide Catheter instruments, it is a technique that can be carried out in many institutions. This report describes the instruments and operative techniques applied for Racz Spring Guide Catheter epidural neuroplasty.
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Development of instruments for spinal cord stimulation is remarkable. We can implant two cylinder-type stimulation electrodes in parallel into the spinal epidural space. We call this method for dual-lead SCS. ⋯ Dual-lead SCS combined with low-dose ketamine drip infusion method is useful for the treatment of various kinds of neuropathic pain. Even if the direct effect of ketamine is transient, effects that provide release from central sensitization and the wind-up phenomenon may be important to increase the effects of dual-lead SCS. Based on the development of dual-lead SCS, SCS therapy has become an important and powerful method for the treatment of intractable pain.
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Case Reports
[A case of prolongation of rocuronium neuromuscular blockade in a pregnant patient receiving magnesium].
A 35-year-old pregnant female with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis underwent emergency cesarean section at 24 weeks of gestation under general anesthesia. The patient had received magnesium sulfate with a diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension since 20 weeks of gestation. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental 3.5 mg x kg(-1) and tracheal intubation was facilitated by administration of rocuronium 1.0 mg x kg(-1). ⋯ After operation, no twitch was noted on the ulnar nerve TOF monitor. The TOF returned to 4/4 at postoperative 11 hours and the patient was extubated uneventfully. When rocuronium is used to facilitate general endotracheal anesthesia in a patient for emergency cesarean delivery, it is important to recognize that magnesium may prolong neuromuscular block significantly.