Masui. The Japanese journal of anesthesiology
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We report here a case of rocuronium-induced anaphylactic shock in a 41-year-old woman. She was scheduled for partial hepatectomy due to liver metastasis of a pheochromocytoma. Anesthesia was induced with propofol, remifentanil, and rocuronium. ⋯ A skin test also showed cross-reactivity between rocuronium and vecuronium. Therefore, we did not use any neuromuscular agent for the subsequent surgery, which was completed uneventfully. Determining the drug responsible for anaphylaxis helps to prevent recurrence of anaphylaxis.
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Pectoral nerve block (PECS block) is first reported by Blanco et al, and mainly used for analgesia for breast surgery in Japan. However, the spread of PECS block is unclear. ⋯ Our cadaveric evaluation suggests that PECS I block produces more analgesia of the axillary region than PECS II. Further evaluation is needed in more cadavers.
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World Health Organization has proposed that palliative medicine should be applied early in the course of the malignant diseases. Regrettably, however, palliative care has been usually provided to patients with the advanced stage of cancer, as terminal care. Recently, palliative medicine begins at the time when patients are diagnosed with cancer. In response to changes in clinical settings of palliative medicine, anesthesiologists, with substantial experience in interdisciplinary pain management, can utilize their advantages in providing palliative medicine to cancer patients: 1) use of opioid analgesics; 2) considering the biopsychosocial model of pain; 3) helping patients live as actively as possible until death; and 4) helping the family cope with the patient's illness and their own bereavement.
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As of April 2013, 164 paramedics are certified to perform tracheal intubation in Fukui Prefecture. This study investigated the current situation surrounding tracheal intubation performed by paramedics in prehospital care. ⋯ It is important to perform successful tracheal intubation on the first attempt, to recognize the probability of successful resuscitation in patients with exogenous disease, and to strengthen the medical control system.
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Governmental policies recommend the palliative care at home for cancer patients. However, there are some barriers to discharge cancer patients from the hospital who want to receive end-of-life care at their homes. Anesthesiologists whose main job is to perform general anesthesia in the operating theater usually have little contact with general practitioners giving community palliative care. So it is important to communicate each other to make opportunities to discuss an organized system and care plan for these patients, and to improve information transfer.