Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of single injection adductor canal block (SACB), continuous adductor canal block (CACB), and the concomitant use of transdermal buprenorphine after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: A total of 125 patients who underwent TKA were divided into three groups and the clinical results were retrospecitively compared. Group I was comprised of patients with pain controlled by SACB (n=41). Group II consisted of patients with pain controlled by both SACB and transdermal buprenorphine (10 mg/h) (n=44). Group III contained patients with pain controlled by CACB (n=40). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used as the pain control indicator and the patients were measured on a VAS for resting on the bed (VAS-Rest) at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. The VAS while doing continuous passive motion (VAS-CPM) on the first and second postoperative day was also measured. In addition, the total amount of medications used (Butopahn, Tridol, and Ketorac) for the intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was counted for 48 hours after surgery. As the indicator of the functional recovery outcome, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was observed for 48 hours after surgery. The maximum knee joint flexion range and maximum walking distance on the first and second postoperative day, and the total length of stay at the hospital were compared. Results: The VAS-Rest was similar in the three groups at 12 hours after surgery, but at 24 hours and 48 hours after surgery, group II and III a lower VAS-CPM and total amount of medications used for PCA than group I (p<0.05). The three groups showed a low incidence of nausea and vomiting, maximum knee joint flexion range, and similar walking distance and total length of stay at the hospital. Conclusion: The combination of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine has great pain control effect initially. On the other hand, it is not associated with catheter complications and it is convenient to use and safety toward the renal function. Therefore, the concomitant use of SACB and transdermal buprenorphine can be an effective pain control method after TKA.

Although rare, the treatment options for a medial collateral avulsion fracture during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) range from conservative management using a cast and orthosis to internal fixation using metal screws. Bioabsorbable suture anchors have been used to replace metal fixators with distinct advantages, such as biocompatibility, radiolucency, and unnecessary second removal surgery, but complications, such as osteolysis, have been reported. This paper reports a potential risk of an extensive osteolysis-related suture anchor fixation of a medial collateral ligament (MCL) avulsion fracture during TKA in conjunction with a literature review.

Currently, in the disaster response process, problems such as limited government responsiveness and the lack of expertise and specialized human resources are emerging. There is an urgent need to introduce an educational course to strengthen systematic specialized education in order to cultivate the necessary job knowledge and on-site responsiveness. Therefore, this paper presents a proposal for introducing a long-term course in the field of disaster safety. The paper analyzes the current state of disaster safety management systems and specialized education and introduces long-term courses in the field of disaster safety through analysis of the government's response to the occurrence of existing large-scale disasters and analysis of questionnaires. The necessity was confirmed in the study, and an improvement plan of the current law and system for establishing the long-term course is proposed. The results showed that there is a need for education to cultivate the expertise of disaster safety management civil servants and the ability to solve problems in the field. Based on the analysis of questionnaires, the basis for promoting the introduction of long-term courses was set up, and it was possible to separately present institutional improvement plans such as securing capacity. The study may contribute to the realization of a safer society through the training of Korean-style emergency managers to develop both disaster safety management ability and the ability to solve problems.

Purpose: Peripheral nerve block is one of the many options available to reduce pain after total knee arthroplasty. Among the various kinds of peripheral nerve block procedure, femoral nerve block (FNB) using ropivacaine is a very effective method for reducing pain. However, it has been known to cause weakness in the quadriceps femoris, resulting in an increased risk of fall during ambulation after surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of FNB on pain and muscle strength with different concentrations of ropivacaine. Materials and Methods: Our study was performed on 120 patients with knee osteoarthritis who had undergone total knee arthroplasty between January 2016 and December 2016. Patients were divided to 3 groups depending on the concentration of ropivacaine: Group 1 received 0.125% ropivacaine 6 ml FNB; group 2 received 0.2% ropivacaine 6 ml FNB; group 3 received normal saline 6 ml FNB. FNB with 1% lidocaine 10 ml and 0.75% ropivacaine 10 ml was performed to all groups at 3 hours after surgery. From the day after surgery, each group of patients were injected 4 times with FNB on their own designated concentration of ropivacaine with an interval of 6 hours. The severity of pain was estimated by visual analogue scale (VAS) and the strength of quadriceps femoris was measured using medical research council (MRC) grade and knee extension angle. Results: VAS score in group 3 was significantly higher compared to other groups; MRC grade in group 2 was significantly lower than in other grades, and knee extension angle in group 2 was significantly lower than in other groups at 6 pm on the day of and at 6 am on the day after surgery. VAS score, MRC grade, and extension angle of all groups showed no significantly difference at other times. Conclusion: FNB with 0.125% ropivacaine after total knee arthroplasty shows effective reduction of pain without inducing quadriceps femoris weakness.

No abstract