After thoracotomy, patients often suffer from a persistent pain syndrome called post-thoracotomy pain. To elucidate morbidity, time course, and predictive factors for this syndrome, we analyzed follow-up data for 85 post-thoracotomy patients. We used a four-point scale to assess pain: none, slight, moderate and severe. Of 85 patients, 50 reported pain (39 slight, 11 moderate) one day after surgery. A year after surgery, the patients were polled using a simple questionnaire received by the mail. Sixty patients reported persistent pain (34 slight, 14 moderate, 12 severe) a month after surgery, and 35 patients reported persistent pain (33 slight, two moderate) around the time of the poll (1 year after surgery). Although pain deterioration was observed in 40% (34/85) of patients during month 1 after surgery, pain alleviation was seen in 48% (41/85) of patients during months 2-12. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that female gender and pain at postoperative day 1 were predictive for persistent pain both 1 month and 1 year after thoracotomy. Among 35 patients with persistent pain 1 year after surgery, 24 cases reported paresthesia-dysesthesia, and 14 cases reported hypoesthesia. The present data thus suggests that persistent pain is common and often severe 1 month after surgery but is alleviated after 1 year. Clinical time course and symptoms indicate that nerve impairment rather than simple nociceptive impact may be involved in this syndrome.

The DRD2 Taq IA polymorphism affected the occurrence of early PONV. Analysis of patients' genetic backgrounds may improve risk-stratification for PONV.

Purpose: Propofol is often used for sedation during spinal anesthesia. We investigated the effects of midazolam premedication on the propofol requirements and incidence of complications during sedation. Methods:In a prospective randomized, controlled, and single-blinded study, 50 patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery were randomly divided into control and midazolam groups. Patients in the midazolam group received 2 mg midazolam im 30 min before arrival at the operation room. After spinal anesthesia was instituted with intrathecal injection of hyperbaric tetracaine, we provided sedation using continuous infusion of propofol. The level of sedation was controlled at a level between "eyes closed but rousable to command" and "eyes closed but rousable to mild physical stimulation" by adjusting the infusion rate. During sedation, the propofol requirements and complications were recorded and patients were asked, two hours after the end of operation, whether they remembered intraoperative events.Results: In the midazolam group, the loading dose, steady state infusion rate, and overall infusion rate of propofol were 0.74 mg·kg -1 , 2.86 mg·kg -1 ·hr -1 , and 3.32 mg·kg -1 ·hr -1 , respectively, which were about 17% lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, midazolam premedication reduced the incidence of intraoperative memory (P < 0.05), but had no effects on other complications. Conclusion:Midazolam premedication reduced propofol requirements and the incidence of intraoperative memory during sedation. These effects on sedation using propofol during spinal anesthesia are considered beneficial for patients. ObjectifObjectif :: Le propofol est souvent utilisé pour la sédation pendant la rachianesthésie. Nous avons exploré les effets de la prémédication avec du midazolam sur les besoins en propofol et sur l'incidence de complications pendant la sédation. Méthode Méthode :: Lors d'une étude prospective, randomisée, contrôlée et à simple insu, 50 patientes pour qui une intervention gynécologique avait été prévue ont été réparties de façon aléatoire en un groupe témoin et un groupe midazolam. Les patientes du groupe midazolam ont reçu 2 mg de midazolam im, 30 min avant l'arrivée en salle d'opération. Après la mise en route de la rachianesthésie avec une injection intrathécale de tétracaïne hyperbare, nous avons administré la sédation par une perfusion continue de propofol. La sédation a été contrôlée à un niveau se situant entre le moment où les patientes ont «les yeux fermés mais peuvent être éveillées sur commande» et le moment où elles ont «les yeux fermés mais peuvent être éveillées sous une légère stimulation physique», en ajustant la vitesse de perfusion. Pendant la sédation, les besoins de propofol et les complications ont été notés et on a demandé aux patientes, deux heures avant la fin de l'opération, si elles se rappelaient des événements peropératoires.Résultats : Dans le groupe midazolam, la dose de charge, la vitesse de perfusion à l'état d'équilibre et la vitesse globale de perfusion...

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