{"title":"Modified approach to external oblique intercostal block: a proof-of-concept pilot case series and anatomical evaluation -a case series.","authors":"Takashi Fujino, Koichiro Ichimura, Hidaka Anetai, Izumi Kawagoe","doi":"10.4097/kja.24832","DOIUrl":"10.4097/kja.24832","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Regional anesthesia techniques that provide analgesia to the entire lateral abdomen are limited. We present a modified external oblique intercostal block for complete lateral abdominal analgesia with a single injection.</p><p><strong>Case: </strong>We performed a modified version of the external oblique intercostal block unilaterally at the tenth rib along the mid-axillary line in three patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (two single injections, one catheter placement) and tested the technique on a cadaver with 20 ml of dye bilaterally. All patients reported good postoperative pain relief without complications and had consistent sensory coverage of the T8-T12 dermatomes from the anterior-to-posterior axillary line. Anatomical assessment confirmed consistent bilateral staining of the lateral cutaneous branches T8-T12.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Conclusions: The initial clinical success and anatomical findings of the modified approach to the external oblique intercostal block suggest that this technique may be an effective option for lateral abdominal analgesia.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"171-176"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143007853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Extended reality in anesthesia: a narrative review.","authors":"Sung Hee Han, Kristen L Kiroff, Sakura Kinjo","doi":"10.4097/kja.24687","DOIUrl":"10.4097/kja.24687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The application of extended reality (XR) technology is rapidly expanding in the medical field, including anesthesia. This review aims to introduce the current literature on XR utilization to help anesthesiologists adopt this technology in education and clinical practice. XR is useful for both knowledge acquisition and skill training in a wide range of settings, from students to medical professionals. One of its major benefits is harm reduction through simulation scenarios that allow for immersion in clinical situations and opportunities to practice procedures and tasks. These scenarios often involve both technical and non-technical skills, enabling clinicians to enhance their capabilities without risking patient safety. In clinical settings, XR can also be used with patients to increase familiarity with medical procedures, provide education, and reduce anxiety. XR can also serve as a distraction technique, diverting the patient's attention from medical procedures and enhancing comfort, which may contribute to reduced opioid use. Although the potential benefits of XR in anesthesia have been reported in various educational and clinical contexts, challenges, such as limited financial reimbursement and restricted technical accessibility, remain. With further research and technological advancements, XR technology has the potential for widespread adoption in anesthesia practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"105-117"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chang-Hoon Koo, Si Un Lee, Hyeong-Geun Kim, Soowon Lee, Yu Kyung Bae, Ah-Young Oh, Young-Tae Jeon, Jung-Hee Ryu
{"title":"Effect of remimazolam on intraoperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing cerebrovascular bypass surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Chang-Hoon Koo, Si Un Lee, Hyeong-Geun Kim, Soowon Lee, Yu Kyung Bae, Ah-Young Oh, Young-Tae Jeon, Jung-Hee Ryu","doi":"10.4097/kja.24538","DOIUrl":"10.4097/kja.24538","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maintenance of stable blood pressure (BP) during cerebrovascular bypass surgery is crucial to prevent cerebral ischemia. We compared the effect of remimazolam anesthesia with that of propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained anesthesia on intraoperative hemodynamic stability and the need for vasoactive agents in patients undergoing cerebrovascular bypass surgery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-five patients were randomized into remimazolam (n = 31, remimazolam-based intravenous anesthesia) and control groups (n = 34, propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained anesthesia). The primary outcome was the occurrence of intraoperative hypotension. The secondary outcomes included hypotension duration, lowest mean BP (MBP), generalized average real variability (ARV) of MBP, and consumption of phenylephrine, norepinephrine, or remifentanil.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Occurrence rate and duration of hypotension were significantly lower in the remimazolam group (38.7% vs. 73.5%, P = 0.005; 0 [0, 10] vs. 7.5 [1.25, 25] min, P = 0.008). Remimazolam also showed better outcomes for lowest MBP (78 [73, 84] vs. 69.5 [66.25, 75.8] mmHg, P < 0.001) and generalized ARV of MBP (1.42 ± 0.49 vs. 1.66 ± 0.52 mmHg/min, P = 0.036). The remimazolam group required less phenylephrine (20 [0, 65] vs. 100 [60, 130] μg, P < 0.001), less norepinephrine (162 [0, 365.5] vs. 1335 [998.5, 1637.5] μg, P < 0.001), and more remifentanil (1750 [1454.5, 2184.5] vs. 531 [431, 746.5] μg, P < 0.001) than the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Remimazolam anesthesia may provide better hemodynamic stability during cerebrovascular bypass surgery than propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained anesthesia.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"148-158"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comprehensive analysis of propofol abuse, addiction and neuropharmacological aspects: an updated review.","authors":"Tayfun Uzbay, Andleeb Shahzadi","doi":"10.4097/kja.24707","DOIUrl":"10.4097/kja.24707","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review aims to assess the existing studies on propofol, a relatively new intravenous anesthetic, related to its abuse and addictive potential and to explain the neurobiological and neuropharmacological aspects of propofol addiction. Several neurobiological factors related to complex processes in the brain influence propofol abuse and addiction. In this review, we assessed the literature regarding propofol abuse and addiction, including both experimental and clinical studies. We selected articles from animal studies, case reports, clinical trials, meta-analyses, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews to extract all relevant crucial quantitative data with a measure of neurobiological and neuropharmacological aspects. Thus, the main goal of this study was to investigate the current literature and discuss the association between the central nervous system and propofol abuse and addiction in the context of addictive behavior. Current data suggest that propofol has a strong addictive potential and produces prominent addiction in both animals and humans. Thus, medical practitioners should exercise caution with propofol use, and we argue that this drug should be added to the list of controlled substances.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":"91-104"},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142829265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katarzyna A R MacDougall, Shahnoor E S Bushra, Santhana G Kannan
{"title":"'Think Drink' approach to minimize unnecessary preoperative fasting: 18 years audit experience.","authors":"Katarzyna A R MacDougall, Shahnoor E S Bushra, Santhana G Kannan","doi":"10.4097/kja.24489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.24489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fasting guidelines have long recommended that patients can have clear fluids until 2 h prior to surgery. Multiple audits in our institution showed that patients had prolonged fluid fasting duration, despite being given preoperative instructions. This paper presents the results of audits in our institution relating to fasting since 2004 and the outcome of interventions undertaken.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Audits conducted in 2004, 2008, 2018, 2021, and 2022 were reviewed, with a focus on fasting duration for clear fluids. Interventions that led to significant improvements were identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median fasting duration for clear fluids was 8 h, 8 h 42 min, and 7 h 42 min in 2004, 2008, and January 2018, respectively. The approach of giving patients a 'welcome drink' of water and allowing sips of water up to the time of being called upon to the theater was introduced in 2018 (Think Drink). This resulted in dramatic reduction of fasting duration to 2 h 15 min. However, repeat audit in 2021 showed slippage requiring additional interventions in the form of staff education for newcomers and reinforcement at staff huddles that reduced the fasting duration down to 2 h. There were no instances of aspiration or regurgitation after the introduction of Think Drink.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Allowing sips of water until being called to the theater with a Think Drink approach successfully reduced unnecessary fasting by patients. Staff and patient education were also required to sustain success. Fasting duration should be considered a 'Quality of Service Indicator' and periodic audit should be mandated.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143752834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kyoung-Sun Kim, Sun-Young Ha, Seong-Mi Yang, Hye-Mee Kwon, Sung-Hoon Kim, In-Gu Jun, Jun-Gol Song, Gyu-Sam Hwang
{"title":"Liver transplantation outcomes in patients with primary tricuspid regurgitation with coaptation defects: A retrospective analysis in a high-volume transplant center.","authors":"Kyoung-Sun Kim, Sun-Young Ha, Seong-Mi Yang, Hye-Mee Kwon, Sung-Hoon Kim, In-Gu Jun, Jun-Gol Song, Gyu-Sam Hwang","doi":"10.4097/kja.24540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.24540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality after liver transplantation(LT). Although the impact of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with severe pulmonary hypertension(PH) is well investigated, the impact of primary TR with tricuspid valve incompetence(TVI) on LT outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of primary TR with TVI on LT outcomes in a large-volume LT center.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively examined 5,512 consecutive LT recipients who underwent routine pretransplant echocardiography between 2008 and 2020. Patients were categorized based on the presence of anatomical TVI, specifically defined by incomplete coaptation, coaptation failure, prolapse, and flail leaflets of tricuspid valve(TV). Propensity score (PS)-based inverse probability weighting(IPW) was used to balance clinical and cardiovascular risk variables. The outcomes were one-year cumulative all-cause mortality and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Anatomical TVI was identified in 14 patients(0.3%). Although rare, these patients exhibited significantly lower post-LT one-year survival rates (64.3% vs. 91.5%, P < 0.001) and higher 30-day MACE rates(42.9% vs. 16.9%, P = 0.026) than patients without TVI. They also had worse survival irrespective of echocardiographic evidence of PH (P < 0.001) and exhibited higher one-year mortality(IPW-adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 4.09, P = 0.002) and increased 30-day MACE rates(IPW-adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.24, P = 0.048).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Primary TR with anatomical TVI was associated with significantly reduced one-year survival and increased post-LT MACE rates. These patients should be prioritized similarly to those with secondary TR with severe PH, with appropriate pretransplant evaluations and treatments to improve survival outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143710428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Revisiting anesthesia-induced preconditioning for neuroprotection in the aging brain-a narrative review.","authors":"Tao Zhang, Woosuk Chung, Beverley A Orser","doi":"10.4097/kja.25073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.25073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The growing number of older adults undergoing surgery necessitates means to address the adverse effects of overt and covert perioperative stroke. Preclinical studies have suggested that anesthesia-induced preconditioning may provide neuroprotection by preserving mitochondrial function, activating cytosolic signaling pathways, and reducing neuroinflammation. However, these promising findings from animal studies have not yet translated into improved clinical outcomes. The discordance between preclinical and clinical outcomes may be due to age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and other comorbidities in older populations, which reduce the effectiveness of anesthetic preconditioning. Mitochondria, which are central to the effectiveness of preconditioning, may be therapeutic targets to restore the neuroprotective effects of anesthetic preconditioning in the aging brain. Emerging evidence suggests that physical prehabilitation, a key component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs, may influence mitochondrial function and could thus restore anesthesia-induced preconditioning. Although further research is needed to determine the impact of physical prehabilitation on mitochondrial function and thereby on anesthetic preconditioning, incorporating physical prehabilitation into perioperative care might enhance neurological outcomes for older patients undergoing surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143670280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jian Hu, Qiuru Wang, Jie Hu, Chunyu Gong, Jing Yang
{"title":"A modified hip pericapsular nerve block on postoperative pain and functional outcomes after total hip arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study.","authors":"Jian Hu, Qiuru Wang, Jie Hu, Chunyu Gong, Jing Yang","doi":"10.4097/kja.24593","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.24593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the hip pericapsular nerve block (hip-PNB), which combines the anterior pericapsular nerve group (PENG) and posterior pericapsular deep-gluteal (PPD) blocks, on postoperative pain and functional outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) via the posterolateral approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventy patients undergoing THA were allocated to either the nerve block group (Group N, hip-PNB + sham local infiltration analgesia [LIA]) or the control group (Group C, sham hip-PNB + LIA). The primary outcome was cumulative morphine consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included visual analog scale pain scores at rest and during movement postoperatively, time to first rescue analgesia, cumulative morphine consumption during hospitalization, opioid consumption during surgery, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with Group C, Group N consumed significantly less morphine in the first 24 h (10 [0-10] mg vs. 10 [10-20] mg; P < 0.001) and throughout hospitalization (10 [0-20] mg vs. 20 [20-30] mg; P < 0.001) and had less opioid consumption perioperatively. Group N also had significantly lower pain scores at rest and during movement in the first 24 h, required rescue analgesia later, and had faster recovery postoperatively than Group C. No significant intergroup differences were observed in quadriceps muscle strength or postoperative complication rates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Compared to LIA, Hip-PNB has better postoperative analgesia and enhances recovery in patients undergoing THA.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143615803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Axillary serratus anterior plane block as a novel approach to anesthetizing the intercostobrachial nerve for upper arm arteriovenous fistula creation surgery-three case reports.","authors":"Chi Ho Chan, Jia Yin Lim, Abey M V Mathews","doi":"10.4097/kja.24893","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4097/kja.24893","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Current regional anesthesia techniques used to anesthetize the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) for upper arm surgery either lack reliability or have increased procedural risks. Safer and more reliable regional anesthetic techniques are required to block the ICBN effectively. Here, we introduce a novel \"axillary serratus anterior plane (A-SAP) block\" for anesthetizing the ICBN to allow surgical anesthesia for upper arm arteriovenous fistula (UA-AVF) creation.</p><p><strong>Case: </strong>We present three cases involving a 79-year-old Chinese male, a 73-year-old Malay female, and a 38-year-old Chinese male, in which the A-SAP block was utilized in UA-AVF creation surgeries. In all three cases, the A-SAP block was performed in combination with a supraclavicular brachial plexus block. None of the patients required local anesthetic supplementation intraoperatively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The A-SAP block reliably and safely anesthetized the ICBN for UA-AVF creation surgery and is a reliable alternative to higher-risk block techniques, such as paravertebral block or neuraxial block.</p>","PeriodicalId":17855,"journal":{"name":"Korean Journal of Anesthesiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143573358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}