Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original article

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Quadratus lumborum block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing ileostomy closure: a prospective, randomized controlled trial: Su Jin Kang, Soo Yeun Park, Jun Seok Park, Jinseok Yeo; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2026;43:5. Published online December 19, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2026.43.5

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Abstract PDF: Background
Quadratus lumborum (QL) block is used for multimodal analgesia following abdominal surgery. We introduced an ultrasound-guided QL block to treat postoperative pain for ileostomy closure. This study aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of the QL block compared to placebo after ileostomy closure.
Methods
Fifty-seven patients undergoing elective ileostomy closure were randomized (1:1) to the placebo or QL block group in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. After general anesthesia, a unilateral QL block was performed under ultrasound guidance. Opioid consumption and numeric rating scale (NRS, 0–10) pain scores were recorded at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. The primary outcome was the NRS pain score at rest at 6 hours. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, rescue analgesics over 72 hours, Quality of Recovery-15 scores in 24 hours, complications, and length of hospital stay.
Results
Baseline characteristics were similar among the 54 patients (27 per group) who completed the study, excluding three who dropped out. The QL block did not reduce NRS pain scores at rest at 6 hours (median [interquartile range], 5 [4–6] vs. 5 [3–6]; p=0.78). Over the 72-hour postoperative period, pain scores at rest remained comparable between the groups, while the QL group showed slightly lower movement-induced pain at certain time points. The QL group required fewer analgesics and antiemetics at certain intervals, but the total opioid use, length of hospital stay, and quality of recovery were not significantly different.
Conclusion
The QL block showed no meaningful advantage in postoperative analgesia compared to placebo for ileostomy closures.

Review articles

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Acute postoperative pain control in pediatric patients: a scoping review: Eun Kyung Choi, Sang-Jin Park, Seong Wook Hong; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2026;43:1. Published online December 10, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2026.43.1

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Abstract PDF: Acute postoperative pain results from tissue injury during surgery and subsequent inflammatory responses. The incidence of chronic postsurgical pain ranges from 10% to 30%, and its development is influenced by various clinical factors, including psychological, biological, and social determinants. Optimal management of acute postoperative pain is crucial for enhancing patient satisfaction, preventing adverse outcomes in the immediate postoperative period, and minimizing progression to chronic postoperative pain. In particular, postoperative pain in pediatric patients is often underestimated and inadequately managed because of developmental differences in pain perception, expression, and challenges in assessment. Therefore, age-appropriate and validated assessment tools that consider cognitive development and situational factors are required. Given age-related variability in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, individualized multimodal analgesic strategies with careful dose adjustments should be utilized. These approaches have demonstrated improved analgesic efficacy and enhanced recovery outcomes in pediatric surgical patients. A comprehensive understanding of pediatric pain pathophysiology, combined with appropriate methods of pain assessment and management strategies, should be selected to promote postoperative recovery and reduce morbidity.

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Regional analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracic surgery: a narrative review: Sang-Jin Park, Eun Kyung Choi; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:80. Published online December 4, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.80

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Abstract PDF: Effective management of post-thoracotomy pain is essential to prevent pulmonary complications and reduce the risk of developing chronic pain syndrome. Although systemic opioids remain a common option, their use is limited by significant adverse effects, making regional analgesia the cornerstone of postoperative pain management. Thoracic epidural analgesia, historically regarded as the gold standard, provides potent postoperative pain relief but carries risks of hypotension and, in rare cases, severe neurological events. Thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) has emerged as the primary alternative, offering comparable analgesic efficacy and an improved safety profile, particularly in maintaining hemodynamic stability. However, PVB is technically demanding and associated with a higher failure rate and localized procedural complications such as pneumothorax. Fascial plane blocks have recently been developed to prioritize safety. The erector spinae plane block is technically simpler, using the transverse process as a “bony backstop” to minimize the risk of pleural injury; however, its analgesic potency may be lower than that of PVB. The intertransverse process block seeks to combine the efficacy of PVB with enhanced safety; however, supporting evidence remains limited. Alternative regional techniques, such as serratus anterior plane block, intercostal nerve block, and continuous wound instillation, typically provide insufficient analgesia for the comprehensive pain associated with open thoracotomy. No regional analgesic technique has demonstrated universal superiority. The optimal approach should be individualized, balancing the distinct risk–benefit profile of each block with patient comorbidities, surgical factors, and institutional expertise.

Original articles

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Comparison of the efficacy of erector spinae plane block according to the difference in bupivacaine concentrations for analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective study: Yoo Jung Park, Sujung Chu, Eunju Yu, Jin Deok Joo; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2023;40(2):172-178. Published online September 23, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2022.00500

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Abstract PDF

Background
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a noninvasive surgery, but postoperative pain is a major problem. Studies have indicated that erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has an analgesic effect after LC. We aimed to compare the efficacy of different ESPB anesthetic concentrations in pain control in patients with LC.
Methods
This retrospective study included patients aged 20 to 75 years scheduled for LC with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification I or II. ESPB was administered using 0.375% bupivacaine in group 1 and 0.25% in group 2. Both groups received general anesthesia. Postoperative tramadol consumption and pain scores were compared and intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl requirements in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) were measured.
Results
Eighty-five patients were included in this analysis. Tramadol consumption in the first 12 hours, second 12 hours, and total 24 hours was similar between groups (p>0.05). The differences between postoperative numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at rest did not differ significantly. The postoperative NRS scores upon bodily movement were not statistically different between the two groups, except at 12 hours. The mean intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl requirements in the PACU were similar. The difference in the requirement for rescue analgesics was not statistically significant (p=0.788).
Conclusion
Ultrasound-guided ESPB performed with different bupivacaine concentrations was effective in both groups for LC analgesia, with similar opioid consumption. A lower concentration of local anesthetic can be helpful for the safety of regional anesthesia and is recommended for the analgesic effect of ESPB in LC.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison of erector spinae plane block and rhomboid intercostal block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing unilateral breast surgery
Gülnihal Avcı, Sevim Cesur Okan, Hadi Ufuk Yörükoğlu, Can Aksu, Alparslan Kuş
BMC Anesthesiology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Overview of ultrasound-guided plane blocks performed within the scope of multimodal anesthesia applications in lower and upper abdominal surgeries
Mert Yetgin, Hülya Sungurtekin, Hale Yetgin
Pamukkale Medical Journal.2025; 18(4): 21. CrossRef
Surgeon-Delivered Bupivacaine Achieves Analgesic Efficacy Comparable to ESP and TAP Blocks in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Melih Can Gül, Ramazan Koray Akbudak
Surgeries.2025; 6(4): 90. CrossRef
Bilateral erector spinae plane block on opioid-sparing effect in upper abdominal surgery: study protocol for a bi-center prospective randomized controlled trial
Changzhen Geng, Li Wang, Yaping Shi, Xinnan Shi, Hanyi Zhao, Ya Huang, Qiufang Ji, Yuanqiang Dai, Tao Xu
Trials.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Erector Spinae Plane Block with 0.375% Bupivacaine vs 0.25% Bupivacaine in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients: Effect on Postoperative Analgesia, Shoulder Tip Pain, and Postoperative Stress Markers
Mohammad Mohsin, Asna Jamal, Ali Saloda, Kharat M Batt, Shantnu Bhanwala
Research & Innovation in Anesthesia.2024; 9(1): 1. CrossRef

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Digital subtraction angiography vs. real-time fluoroscopy for detection of intravascular injection during transforaminal epidural block: Kibeom Park, Saeyoung Kim; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2019;36(2):109-114. Published online January 24, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2019.00122

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7 Crossref

Abstract PDF

Background
Transforaminal epidural block (TFEB) is an effective treatment option for radicular pain. To reduce complications from intravascular injection during TFEB, use of imaging modalities such as real-time fluoroscopy (RTF) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been recommended. In this study, we investigated whether DSA improved the detection of intravascular injection during TFEB at the whole spine level compared to RTF.
Methods
We prospectively examined 316 patients who underwent TFEB. After confirmation of final needle position using biplanar fluoroscopy, 2 mL of nonionic contrast medium was injected at a rate of 0.5 mL/s under RTF; 30 s later, 2 mL of nonionic contrast medium was injected at a rate of 0.5 mL/s under DSA.
Results
Thirty-six intravascular injections were detected for an overall rate of 11.4% using RTF, with 45 detected for a rate of 14.2% using DSA. The detection rate using DSA was statistically different from that using RTF (p=0.004). DSA detected a significantly higher proportion of intravascular injections at the cervical level than at the thoracic (p=0.009) and lumbar (p=0.011) levels.
Conclusion
During TFEB at the whole spine level, DSA was better than RTF for the detection of intravascular injection. Special attention is advised for cervical TFEB, because of a significantly higher intravascular injection rate at this level than at other levels.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections for Management of Lumbar Radicular Back Pain
Amaresh Vydyanathan, Priya Agrawal, Khaled Donia, Sayed Wahezi, Sarang Koushik, Kateryna Slinchenkova, Karina Gritsenko, Naum Shaparin
Journal of Pain Research.2025; Volume 18: 759. CrossRef
The Importance of Image Guidance in Common Spine Interventional Procedures for Pain Management: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Martina Rekatsina, Philip W. H. Peng
Pain and Therapy.2025; 14(3): 841. CrossRef
1. Lumbosacral radicular pain
Laurens Peene, Steven P. Cohen, Jan Willem Kallewaard, Andre Wolff, Frank Huygen, Antal van de Gaag, Steegers Monique, Kris Vissers, Chris Gilligan, Jan Van Zundert, Koen Van Boxem
Pain Practice.2024; 24(3): 525. CrossRef
Safety of local anesthetics in cervical nerve root injections: a narrative review
Zachary E. Stewart
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An update on technical and safety practice patterns in transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Ashley E. Gureck, Berkenesh Gebrekristos, Razvan Turcu, Dana Kotler, Alec L. Meleger
Interventional Pain Medicine.2023; 2(4): 100286. CrossRef
Thoracic transforaminal epidural steroid injection for management of thoracic spine pain: A multicenter cross-sectional study of short-term outcomes
Josh Levin, John Chan, Lisa Huynh, Matt Smuck, Jayme Koltsov, Bilge Kesikburun, Graham E. Wagner, Marc Caragea, Keith Kuo, Zachary L. McCormick, Byron Schneider, Evan Berlin, D.J. Kennedy, Serdar Kesikburun
Interventional Pain Medicine.2022; 1(1): 100004. CrossRef
The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Best Practices and Guidelines for the Interventional Management of Cancer-Associated Pain
Mansoor M Aman, Ammar Mahmoud, Timothy Deer, Dawood Sayed, Jonathan M Hagedorn, Shane E Brogan, Vinita Singh, Amitabh Gulati, Natalie Strand, Jacqueline Weisbein, Johnathan H Goree, Fangfang Xing, Ali Valimahomed, Daniel J Pak, Antonios El Helou, Priyanka
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Original Article

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
A comparison of 0.075% and 0.15% of ropivacaine with fentanyl for postoperative patient controlled epidural analgesia after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: Hyun Chul Jung, Hyo Jung Seo, Deok Hee Lee, Sang Jin Park; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2017;34(1):37-42. Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2017.34.1.37

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
A motor blockade of lower limbs interferes with early ambulation and limits the usefulness of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). The concentration of local anesthetic solution is a major determinant for motor block with PCEA. We compared the effects of epidural infusion of 0.075% ropivacaine with 0.15% epidural ropivacaine on postoperative analgesia, motor block of lower limbs, and other side effects. METHODS: A total of 70 patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery received epidural infusions (group R1, 0.15% ropivacaine with fentanyl; group R2, 0.075% ropivacaine with fentanyl). Pain score, motor block, and side effects (hypotension, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention, dizziness, and numbness) were measured. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the demographic profiles between the groups. Pain scores of the group R1 and the group R2 were not significantly different. Motor block was more frequent in the group R1 (0.15% ropivacaine with fentanyl) than in the group R2 (0.075% ropivacaine with fentanyl). CONCLUSION: Lower concentration of ropivacaine (0.075%), when compared with higher concentration of ropivacaine (0.15%), seemed to provide similar analgesia with less motor blockade of the lower limbs for the purpose of PCEA.

Review

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Memory of Pain and Preemptive Analgesia.: Sun Ok Song; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2000;17(1):12-20. Published online June 30, 2000; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2000.17.1.12

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Abstract PDF: The memory of pain can be more damaging than its initial experience. Several factors are related the directions of pain memory; current pain intensity, emotion, expectation of pain, and peak intensity of previous pain. The possible mechanisms of memory of pain are neuroplastic changes of nervous system via peripheral and central sensitization. Peripheral sensitization is induced by neurohumoral alterations at the site of injury and nearby. Biochemicals such as K+, prostaglandins, bradykinin, substance P, histamine and serotonin, increase transduction and produce continuous nociceptive input. Central sensitization takes place within the dorsal horn of spinal cord and amplifies the nociceptive input from the periphery. The mechanisms of central sensitization involve a variety of transmitters and postsynaptic mechanisms resulting from the activations of NMDA receptors by glutamate, and activation of NK-1 tachykinnin receptors by substance-P and neurokinnin. The clinical result of peripheral and central sensitization is hyperalgesia, allodynia, spontaneous pain, referred pain, or sympathetically maintained pain. These persistent sensory responses to noxious stimuli are a form of memory. The hypothesis of preemptive analgesia is that analgesia administered before the painful stimulus will prevent or reduce subsequent pain and analgesic requirements in comparison to the identical analgesic intervention administered after the painful stimulus, by preventing or reducing the memory of pain in the nervous system. Conventionally, pain management was initiated following noxious stimuli such as surgery. More recently, many have endorsed preemptive analgesia initiated before surgery. Treatments to control postsurgical pain are often best started before injury activates peripheral nociceptors and triggers central sensitization. Such preemption is not achieved solely by regional anesthesia and drug therapy but also requires behavioral interventions to decrease anxiety or stress. Although the benefit of preemptive analgesia is not obvious in every circumstance, and in many cases may not sufficient to abolish central sensitization, it is an appropriate and human goal of clinical practice.

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