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BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that botulinum toxin would prolong the duration of a lumbar sympathetic block measured through a sustained increase in skin temperature. The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to investigate the clinical outcome of botulinum toxin type A for lumbar sympathetic ganglion block in patients with complex regional pain syndrome. METHODS: Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block was conducted in patients with lower-e

BACKGROUND: Because it affords greater accuracy than landmark-based techniques, ultrasound guidance may reduce the volume of local anesthetic required for sympathetic blockade of the upper extremity. We hypothesized that 4 mL would provide a similar clinical effect when compared to larger volumes. METHODS: One hundred and two patients with chronic neuropathic pain of the upper extremity or face were randomly assigned to receive an ultrasound-guided (USG) stellate ganglion block (SGB) with either

OBJECTIVES: A double-blind randomised study to evaluate the opioid sparing effect and safety of nefopam when administered via intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl. METHODS: Patients planned for elective open laparotomy, were randomly assigned to receive into fentanyl 25 µg/ml (SF group) or nefopam 2.4 mg/ml plus fentanyl 25 µg/ml (NF group). Patients were assessed before surgery and for 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Total PCA fentanyl consumption was significantly lower

BACKGROUND: Results from epidemiologic studies have shown that childhood atopy is probably a hereditary disorder, because the offspring of affected parents have a higher risk of developing atopy. Among the atopic population, some subjects are sensitized to only one class of allergens (monosensitized), while other subjects are sensitized to more than one class of allergens (polysensitized). The aim of this study was to investigate whether atopy profile (monosensitization/polysensitization) in chi

BACKGROUND: Ketamine infusions are frequently employed for refractory complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but there are limited data on factors associated with treatment response. Sympathetic blocks are also commonly employed in CRPS for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and generally precede ketamine infusions. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether demographic and clinical factors, and technical and psychophysical characteristics of sympathetic blocks are associated with response to k

US-TPVB could be a useful technique for sympathetic blockade in patients with upper extremity pain.

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To test the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for managing intractable neuropathic pain (NeP) and assess the protocol for a larger confirmatory trial. <b><i>Design:</i></b> A prospective, multicenter, single-armed, add-on, pilot study. <b><i>Settings/location:</i></b> At two tertiary university-based hospitals in Seoul, Republic of Korea. <b><i>Subjects:</i></b> Patients with chronic peripheral NeP, who have received conventional oral medications but complained of

OBJECTIVE: To compare the nonadaptive manual system with the position-adaptive system in subjects with permanent spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation over a two-year follow-up period. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary university-based national hospital. SUBJECTS: Patients who underwent permanent SCS implantation procedures. METHODS: Patients were divided into an adaptive group and a nonadaptive group according to the type of implanted SCS device. The primary outcome was the cha

Our results demonstrated that manifestation of CRPS in the young Korean population was more common in male and among those male CRPS patients, about half the cases developed during the military service period.

Background: A pharmacist’s participation in medical rounds in intensive care unit (ICU) is becoming popular nowadays. In this study, we investigated the effect of pharmacologic intervention by a pharmacist’s participation in medical round in ICU on prevention of adverse drug events (ADEs). Methods: From March 2011 to July 2011, the intervention data were obtained by participating in medical round two or three times a week, and by reviewing electronic medical records of patients admitted to surgi

Lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis (LFSS) is defined as the narrowing of the nerve root exit associated with a herniated intervertebral disc, osteoarthritic changes in the facet joints, or a hypertrophied ligamentum flavum, which can provoke neurogenic claudication. To achieve effective and safe decompression of the lumbar spinal foramen, a specially designed instrument (Claudicare, SEAWON Meditech, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea) for percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF) was invent

BACKGROUND: There is no sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for neuropathic pain. This protocol describes a study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture combined with conventional medicine for patients with intractable neuropathic pain, when compared with conventional medicine alone. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a prospective, open-labeled, randomized, cross-over clinical trial. A total of 40 patients with neuropathic pain who had a numeric