Intraoperative intravenous ketamine in combination with epidural analgesia: postoperative analgesia after renal surgery

We designed this double-blinded, randomized, controlled study to evaluate the effect of small-dose ketamine IV in combination with epidural morphine and bupivacaine on postoperative pain after renal surgery. An epidural catheter was inserted, and the administration of morphine and bupivacaine was started before surgery. Forty patients were assigned to one of two groups (ketamine or control). The ketamine group was administered a ketamine bolus and infusion during surgery. The median visual analog pain scale (VAS) scores at rest were significantly lower in the ketamine group during the first 6 h (P < 0.01). VAS pain scores on coughing were also significantly lower in the ketamine group (P < 0.01). Cumulative postoperative total analgesic consumption was less in the ketamine group on Days 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). The first analgesic demand time was shorter in the control group (9.2 +/- 11.5 min) than in the ketamine group (22.3 +/- 17.1 min) (P < 0.0001). The incidence of nausea and pruritus was more frequent in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, postoperative analgesia was more effective when spinal cord and brain sensitization were blocked by a combination of epidural morphine/bupivacaine and IV ketamine. IMPLICATIONS: Renal nociception conducted multisegmentally by both the spinal nerves (T10 to L1) and the vagus nerve cannot be blocked by epidural analgesia alone. We demonstrated that IV ketamine had an improved analgesic or opioid-sparing effect when it was combined with epidural bupivacaine and morphine after renal surgery.     

Efficacy of the fascia iliaca compartment block vs continuous epidural infusion for analgesia following total knee replacement surgery

Background and objective: Total knee replacement causes moderate to severe postoperative pain. The aim of this trial was to compare postoperative analgesia from a fascia iliaca compartment block to continuous epidural analgesia following knee arthroplasty. Patients and Methods: Clinical trial enrolling patients in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classes 1 to 3 randomized to 2 groups. One group received spinal anesthesia plus a fascia iliaca compartment block with 0.1% bupivacaine at a rate of 10 mL/h. The second group received combined spinal-epidural anesthesia plus epidural analgesia with 0.1% bupivacaine in continuous infusion at a rate of 8 mL/h. Postoperative pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and on movement was recorded every 3 hours for the first 24 hours. Use of intravenous morphine and the adverse events were also recorded. Results: Forty patients (20 for each group) were enrolled. The distribution of age, weight, body mass index, sex, ASA class, duration of surgery, use of morphine, and the incidence of adverse effects were similar in the 2 groups. Postoperative VAS scores at rest and on movement were also similar. The incidence of arterial hypotension was higher in the epidural analgesia group. Conclusions: The fascia iliaca compartment block and continuous epidural infusion are similarly efficient in providing postoperative analgesia for patients after total knee replacement. The fascia iliaca compartment block is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative hemodynamic complications. Early, safe rehabilitation is facilitated by both analgesic techniques.     

Postoperative pain control using epidural catheters after anterior spinal fusion for adolescent scoliosis

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective review of patients undergoing epidural catheter placement after anterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for adolescent scoliosis was performed. Data were collected using visual analog pain scores reflecting the patients' perception of their pain control. OBJECTIVES: To present the authors' technique for epidural catheter placement and dosing protocol, and to demonstrate the results from postoperative pain control after anterior spinal instrumented fusion for 10 consecutive patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The literature regarding the benefits of epidural catheters after spinal surgery is contradictory, even with controlled studies comparing epidural catheters with intravenous morphine patient-controlled anesthesia. The authors believe that this lack of consensus stems from varied epidural dosing protocols and techniques in catheter placement, which they have witnessed anecdotally at their own institution. This prompted the authors to develop and refine a standardized dosing and catheter placement protocol for pain control after spinal surgery. METHODS: Epidural catheters were placed intraoperatively before wound closure, then removed on postoperative Day 5. Dosing consisted of fentanyl (1 microg/kg) and hydromorphone (5 microg/kg) diluted in preservative-free saline (0.2 mL/kg). After surgery, dosing consisted of 0.1% ropivacaine and hydromorphone (10 microg/ml) continuously infused at 0.2 mL/kg/hour. Postoperative pain control was assessed on each postoperative day using a visual analog pain scale with choices ranging from 0 to 10. RESULTS: The arithmetic mean of the median pain scores after surgery was 2.1. The mean of the maximum pain scores for the 5 days was 4.1. Three patients required an epidural bolus and a 20% increase in the epidural infusion rate. One patient was judged to be excessively sleepy, so the epidural infusion rate was decreased by 20%. Pruritus requiring diphenhydramine developed in three patients. No other adverse effects related to epidural analgesia were noted. No catheters were accidentally pulled out or disconnected. CONCLUSION: By following the dosing protocol described, epidural catheters can be used safely and effectively to control postoperative pain after anterior instrumentation and spinal fusion for adolescent scoliosis.     

Study of analgestic efficacy of ropivacaine-fentanyl patient-controlled epidural analgesia after upper abdominal gynecological surgery

BACKGROUND: Most of the patients who undergo radical or subradical hysterectomy with paraaortic lymphadenectomy suffer from postoperative pain for upper abdominal incision. They also complain of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) frequently, which are increased by opioids. METHODS: Reducing total fentanyl dose to 0.6 mg, frequency of moving pain complaints increased gradually. Therefore, we introduced patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for suppressing pain on moving. We investigated analgestic efficacy of 0.2% ropivacaine-fentanyl PCEA in twelve patients undergoing upper abdominal gynecological surgery. Postoperative analgesic effects were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and on moving, times of bolus infusion, side effects, and degrees of satisfication by patient's self-assessments. Continuous epidural infusion of 0.6 mg fentanyl in 288 ml 0.2% ropivacaine was started at a rate of 4 ml x hr(-1) with a bolus dose of 2 ml. RESULTS: VAS was maintained below 20 mm at rest but was elevated to the maximum of 45 mm on moving with few bolus requests. Ninty-two percents of the patients answered satisfied but fifty percents of them had PONV. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ropivacaine-fentanyl PCEA is effective after upper abdominal gynecological surgery, and we can decrease the dose of fentanyl by explaining PCEA system more effectively to the patients for suppressing the pain on moving and PONV.     

Epidural fentanyl for postoperative analgesia after lumbar canal decompression: a randomized controlled trial

Background contextPostoperative back pain is common after decompression surgery for lumbar stenosis and often delays discharge from hospital. Achieving regional analgesia by intraoperative delivery of epidural opiates after lumbar canal decompression is a promising approach to reduce postoperative pain and enhance early mobilization. However, there have been concerns about opiate-related complications, such as respiratory depression and urinary retention in what is generally an elderly population of patients.PurposeTo assess the analgesic efficacy of bolus epidural fentanyl administered intraoperatively after lumbar decompression for degenerative canal stenosis.Study design/settingPatient-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at two university neurosurgical centers.Patient sampleAdults (older than 18 years) with neurogenic claudication and/or lower limb radiculopathy and concordant lumbar spinal canal stenosis demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with previous lumbar spinal surgery, a contraindication to fentanyl, or requiring instrumentation were excluded.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was patient-reported Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain recorded preoperatively, in recovery, and on the first and second postoperative days if the patient remained in the hospital. Secondary outcomes were duration of surgery, length of stay, and any side effects or complications.MethodsPatients underwent a one to three level lumbar canal decompression as required, via a midline incision, under general anesthesia. Before wound closure either no drug (control) or a 100-μg bolus of fentanyl was administered via an epidural catheter inserted 10 cm rostral to the operated level. Patients were blinded to group allocation, and analysis was by intention to treat. The trial was approved by the National Health Service Research Ethics Service and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. No commercial or other source of funding was received.ResultsSixty patients were randomized, 29 to fentanyl and 31 to control. Demographics, duration of surgery, and preoperative VAS were not significantly different between the groups. VAS in recovery was significantly lower in patients treated with fentanyl (mean [standard deviation]: 2.6 [2.7] vs. 4.7 [2.4]; p=.003). Later VAS and postoperative length of stay were similar between groups. More patients in the fentanyl group required temporary urinary catheterization, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects.ConclusionsBolus epidural fentanyl provides effective short-term postoperative analgesia after lumbar canal decompression and may be a useful adjunct to pain management in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.     

Advantage of ropivacaine for postoperative epidural analgesia following leg orthopedic surgery

BACKGROUND: Epidural administration of local anesthetics may lead to effective pain relief. However, tachyphylaxis or other problems following prolonged epidural anesthesia may develop and in many cases difficulties exist in the maintenance of the similar degree of sensory blockade. The present study was therefore performed to investigate the analgesic effect of continuous postoperative epidural infusion of ropivacaine with fentanyl in comparison with that of bupivacaine or ropivacaine alone. METHODS: After leg orthopedic surgery with lumbar combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, thirty-six patients were randomized to one of the three postoperative epidural infusion groups: bupivacaine 0.125%, ropivacaine 0.2%, or ropivacaine 0.2% with 2.2 microg x ml(-1) (400 microg x 180 ml(-1)) of fentanyl. Continuous epidural infusion was started at a rate of 6 ml x h(-1) with possibility of an additional bolus injection of 3 ml at least every 60 min. Pain was assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) just before and 15 min after epidural bolus injections, and 15-20 h after the start of continuous epidural infusion as the severe at pain through the observation. The spread of analgesia (loss of sharpness in pinprick perception) and motor block (Bromage scale) were evaluated bilaterally. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were also measured. RESULTS: The epidural bolus infusion was associated with a significant decrease of VAS (P < 0.001) and stable blood pressure and heart rate in all groups. The maximal VAS in patients receiving 0.2% ropivacaine+fentanyl was significantly less compared to that in the other two groups. The regression of sensory blockade was significantly prolonged in patients treated with ropivacaine+fentanyl. There was no significant difference in the spread of sensory analgesia between 20 min and 15-20 h after the continuous epidural anesthesia in this group. None of the patients developed adverse effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, and pruritis. CONCLUSIONS: Epidural injection of ropivacaine with fentanyl decreased postoperative pain with stable vital signs in patients undergoing leg orthopedic surgery, as compared to bupivacaine or ropivacaine alone, possibly because of the maintenance of sensory blockade by ropivacaine and enhancement of this sensory blockade by fentanyl.     

A randomized comparison of the effects of continuous thoracic epidural analgesia and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after posterior spinal fusion in adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain and gastrointestinal dysfunction are primary factors that delay recovery after posterior spinal fusion. Previous reports suggest that the choice of analgesic management may effect the course of recovery. This prospective, randomized study compared continuous thoracic epidural analgesia and patient-controlled analgesia in the postoperative care of adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: Patients between 11 and 18 years of age were randomized to receive continuous thoracic epidural analgesia with bupivacaine-fentanyl (CEA, n = 17) or intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with morphine sulfate (n = 16). After surgery under general anesthesia, pain intensity was evaluated using a self-report visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative time to resumption of bowel sounds, liquid intake, and side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups in VAS pain scores, side effects, or time to resumption of liquid intake. There was a significant difference (P = .0089) between groups in return of bowel sounds, which occurred earlier in patients receiving CEA. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous epidural analgesia and patient-controlled analgesia are comparably effective and safe after posterior spinal fusion. Return of bowel sounds occurred significantly more rapidly in patients receiving CEA postoperatively.     

The use of intrathecal morphine for postoperative pain relief after liver resection: a comparison with epidural analgesia

An epidural catheter is used in some institutions for postoperative analgesia after liver surgery. However, anesthesiologists may not feel comfortable leaving a catheter in the epidural space because of concern about coagulation disturbances and possible bleeding complications caused by impaired liver function. In this study, we tested a single-shot intrathecal morphine technique and compared it to a continuous epidural naropine infusion for postoperative analgesia in liver surgery. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to an epidural analgesia group (EP group; n = 25) and an intrathecal analgesia group (IN group; n = 25). The quality of analgesia assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS), the side effects, and the additional IV analgesic requirements were recorded. We did not observe any signs of cord compression. Time to first pain drug requirement was longer in the EP group compared to the IN group (25 +/- 18.5 h versus 12 +/- 10.3 h; P < 0.05). In both groups, the VAS remained less than 30 mm throughout the 48-h follow-up period. Consumption of IV morphine with a patient-controlled analgesia device in the IN group was larger (mostly from 24 to 48 h after surgery) than the EP group (12.0 +/- 5.54 mg versus 3.1 +/- 2.6 mg, respectively; P < 0.01). The incidence of vomiting was 4% in both groups, whereas the incidence of pruritus (16% versus 0%) and nausea (16% versus 4%) was more frequent in the IN group. No postdural puncture headache and no spinal hematoma occurred. After liver resection, a single dose of intrathecal morphine followed by patient-controlled morphine analgesia can provide satisfactory postoperative pain relief. The quality of this treatment, according to the VAS, is not inferior to continuous epidural analgesia up to 48 h after surgery.     

Preemptive use of epidural magnesium sulphate to reduce narcotic requirements in orthopedic surgery

Background and objectivesAs pain is one of the most common problems challenging the anesthetist, and as regional anesthesia is a safe, inexpensive technique with the advantage of prolonged postoperative analgesia. Also, we all know that Magnesium is the fourth most plentiful cation in the body with antinociceptive properties arising from being the natural physiological calcium antagonist and the antagonism to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Thus, the study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind study designed to evaluate analgesic efficacy of magnesium sulphate when added to epidural bupivacaine in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the lower limb.MethodsAfter approval of the ethical committee and informed written consent 60 patients ASA I and II, undergoing orthopedic surgery in the lower limb were enrolled to receive either bupivacaine 0.5% or bupivacaine 0.5% plus magnesium sulphate 50 mg as an initial bolus dose followed by a continuous infusion of 10 mg/h as intraoperative epidural analgesia. Postoperatively, all patients were equipped with a patient-controlled epidural analgesia device. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, pain assessment using a visual analogue scale (VAS), sedation score, the first time patient ask for analgesics and postoperative fentanyl consumption were recorded.ResultsVAS was significantly less in the magnesium group during 15 and 30 min intra-operatively and in the first and third hour post-operatively. The postoperative rescue analgesia, as well as the PCEA fentanyl consumption, was significantly reduced in the magnesium group.ConclusionCo-administration of epidural magnesium provides better intraoperative analgesia as well as the analgesic-sparing effect on PCEA consumption without increasing the incidence of side-effects.     

Oral clonidine premedication enhances postoperative analgesia by epidural morphine

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of oral clonidine premedication on postoperative analgesia by epidural morphine in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded design. Sixty consenting patients, scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy, were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 20 each); the clonidine-morphine group received oral clonidine 5 microg/kg 90 min before arriving in the operating room and epidural morphine 2 mg before induction of general anesthesia, the clonidine-placebo group received oral clonidine 5 microg/kg and no epidural morphine, and the placebo-morphine group received no clonidine and epidural morphine 2 mg. An epidural catheter was placed at the L1-2 or L2-3 interspace, and 1.5% lidocaine was used for surgical anesthesia in all patients. General anesthesia was then induced with propofol, and maintained with a continuous infusion of propofol and 67% nitrous oxide in oxygen during surgery. Four patients were subsequently withdrawn from the study. After surgery, patient-controlled analgesia using IV morphine was used to assess analgesic requirement. Morphine consumptions determined every 6 h after surgery in the clonidine-morphine and placebo-morphine groups were significantly less than the clonidine-placebo group until 12 h after surgery, whereas those of the clonidine-morphine group were significantly less than the placebo-morphine group from 13 to 42 h after surgery. Visual analog (pain) scale (VAS) scores in the clonidine-morphine group were significantly lower than the placebo-morphine group at 48 h at rest, and at 1, 24, 36, and 48 h with movement. Similarly, VAS scores in the clonidine-morphine group were significantly lower than the clonidine-placebo group at 1 and 6 h both at rest and with movement, whereas VAS scores in the clonidine-placebo group were significantly lower than the placebo-morphine group at 24, 36, and 48 h at rest and with movement. The incidence of nausea and pruritus was similar between groups. We conclude that the combination of oral clonidine and epidural morphine produces more potent and longer lasting postoperative analgesia than either drug alone without increasing the incidence of adverse effects after major gynecologic surgeries. IMPLICATIONS: A small dose of epidural morphine is often used for postoperative analgesia. We found that oral clonidine premedication 5 microg/kg improves the analgesic efficacy of epidural morphine without increasing the incidence of adverse side effects.     

Qualität der postoperativen Schmerztherapie

Background

Despite well-designed concepts of perioperative pain management, recent studies have revealed that a large number of patients still suffer from unacceptable pain after surgery. The purpose of this prospective evaluation was to critically analyze postoperative pain treatment provided by a routinely established, DIN certified acute pain service (APS) at the University Hospital Großhadern in Munich.

Materials and methods

A total of 1,000 consecutive patients received one of the following analgesic procedures: continuous epidural analgesia (EA, n?=?401), continuous and patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA, n?=?305), intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with opioids (PCA, n?=?169) or continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB, n?=?125). For EA and PCEA, ropivacaine 0.2?% and sufentanil 0.24 µg/ml were administered while peripheral regional analgesia was performed with infusion of ropivacaine 0.2?% only. Patients with PCEA were allowed a 3 mg bolus once per hour on demand. Standardized intravenous PCA was performed with piritramide 2.5 mg/ml, a bolus of 2.5 mg, a lock-out time of 15 min, a maximum of 25 mg/4 h and no background infusion. During the daily visits the APS assessed pain intensity at rest and during movement on a numerical rating scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain), acceptance of pain, satisfaction with the analgesic procedure, demand of additional non-opioid analgesics, the need for optimization including bolus applications and changes of the infusion rate or retraction of the epidural catheter. The duration of the procedures, side effects and complications were documented. The catheter insertion sites were inspected daily for redness and tenderness on palpation.

Results

In general, epidural and peripheral regional analgesic techniques were superior in terms of postoperative analgesia to intravenous opioid PCA and were associated with fewer side effects, such as sedation, nausea, vomiting, obstipation and sensorimotor deficits. A subgroup analysis revealed that in major upper abdominal surgery, EA provided significantly better analgesia at rest and during movement than PCA. In lower abdominal surgery PCEA induced significantly better analgesia than both PCA and EA, especially during movement. Patient satisfaction was generally high and was best with PCEA (95?%) followed by CPNB (94?%), EA (91?%) and PCA (88?%). On the first postoperative day analgesic procedures had to be optimized (e.g. by bolus administration, retraction of catheters or changes to standardized PCA) in 23?% of EA patients, 10?% of PCEA patients, 6?% of PCA patients and 12?% of CPNB patients. Major complications, such as neuraxial hematoma, infections or respiratory depression were not observed.

Conclusions

As described in many prospective studies, this evaluation revealed that for postoperative pain control, regional anesthesia is superior to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with strong opioids in terms of analgesia and side effects. In the setting of a well-organized acute pain service with frequent education and training of all members involved, postoperative pain management is safe and effective. However, regular re-evaluation of the defined and certified procedures is necessary.     

Continuous infusion of epidural morphine to relieve postoperative pain. Protocol and results

We have evaluated the efficaciousness and side effects of continuous administration of morphine by lumbar epidural route for relieving postoperative pain in major surgery of the abdomen and orthopedic surgery. Lumbar epidural catheters were placed to 25 patients (mean age, 52 years) before induction of general anesthesia. All patients received a 4 mg bolus dose of morphine sulfate 1 hour before finalization of general anesthesia and subsequently they were placed on a continuous infusion of morphine sulfate at 0.3-1 mg/h. All patients achieved analgesia which maintained then pain-free and allowed early ambulation and initiation of active respiratory physiotherapy. Duration of continuous analgesia varied from 3 to 5 days. No patient presented respiratory depression; four presented nausea and eight had urinary retention. We believe that continuous epidural infusion of morphine is efficacious and safe for the treatment of acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing abdomen major surgery and orthopedic surgery.     

Preemptive analgesia for postoperative pain relief in lumbosacral spine surgeries: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Administration of analgesic medication, before the actual onset of painful stimulus, is more effective than that after the onset of painful stimulus. This is the principle of preemptive analgesia. Although it is often considered superior to other forms of analgesia, its role in postoperative pain relief after lumbosacral spinal surgery has not been fully investigated. PURPOSE: To analyze the efficacy of preemptive analgesia with a single caudal epidural injection for patients undergoing surgeries on the lumbosacral spine by the posterior approach. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Randomized, double-blinded and controlled clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: Eighty-two patients who underwent discectomy in the lumbosacral spine by the posterior approach, with or without instrumentation, were randomized to the control group (n=40) and to the study group (n=42). METHODS: Patients in control group received a single caudal epidural injection of 20 ml of normal saline. Patients in study group received a single caudal epidural injection of 20 ml containing bupivacaine and tramadol as the active agents. The time interval between this injection and the surgical incision was never less than 20 minutes in either of the groups. This facilitated enough time for the drug to get fixed to the nerve roots, leading to effective preemptive analgesia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were monitored for postoperative pain immediately after surgery when they had completely recovered and regained consciousness from general anesthesia, and subsequently 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours thereafter. Pain was quantified using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the verbal rating scale (VRS). The time at which supplemental analgesic medication was first demanded in the postoperative period by the patient was also noted. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable for age, sex, body weight and the type of surgery they underwent. Because the data did not have a normal Gaussian distribution, the one-tailed Mann-Whitney test, being a nonparametric test, was adopted for statistical analysis. Accordingly, VAS and VRS values at all time intervals were significantly lower (p<.0001) in the study group as compared with the control group. This indicated significantly better pain relief in the study group. There was also a significant delay (p=.0041) in the first demand for supplemental analgesic medication in the postoperative period in the study group. No complication specific to the procedure was noted except for the development of postoperative urinary retention, which was transient and appropriately managed with urinary catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive analgesia with a single caudal epidural injection of bupivacaine and tramadol is a safe, simple and effective method for postoperative pain relief.     

Analgesic requirements for patients undergoing lower extremity orthopedic surgery--the effect of combined spinal and epidural magnesium

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacological approach is the most common practice to treat perioperative pain, as no single agent has yet been identified to specifically inhibit nociception without associated side effects. Opioids such as Fentanyl is commonly added to local anesthetics to produce spinal and epidural anesthesia. However, significant adverse effects, such as pruritus, respiratory depression, hemodynamic instability and occasionally severe nausea and vomiting, may limit their use. Our present study was designed to assess the effectiveness of using combined intrathecal and epidural magnesium (Mg) in reducing intra-and postoperative analgesic requirements and improving the quality of analgesia. METHOD: Eighty patients ASA I, II, III who scheduled for lower extremity orthopedic surgery were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, 40 patients each. The Control Group: patients received intrathecal 10 mg of Bupivacaine 0.5% (2 ml), plus 25 microg of Fentanyl (0.5 ml), plus 0.9% NaCl solution (1 ml) and an epidural infusion of 0.9% NaCl at a rate of 5 ml/hr. The Magnesium Group: patients received intrathecal 10 mg of Bupivacaine 0.5% (2 ml), plus 25 microg of Fentanyl (0.5 ml), plus 50 mg of 5% Mg (1 ml) and an epidural infusion of 2% Mg at a rate of 100 mg/hr (5 ml/hr). RESULTS: Intrathecal Mg prolonged fentanyl analgesia as indicated by increased duration of anesthesia in the Mg group, and thus improving the quality of spinal anesthesia. The effectiveness of the postoperative analgesia was confirmed by markedly lower perioperative analgesic requirements (38.3 % less than the Control group), the patient's low VAS score, the longer time for the patients first requirements of post-operative analgesia in the Mg group. CONCLUSION: For lower extremity orthopedic procedure, supplementation of spinal anesthesia with combined intrathecally injected and epidurally infused Mg, considerably reduced the perioperative analgesic requirements without any side effects.     

Epidural opioids during laminectomy surgery for postoperative pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether morphine applied directly to the dura during laminectomy surgery provides superior postoperative analgesia during the first 24 hours. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind study. SETTING: A university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty ASA physical status I and II patients ages 18 to 60 years. INTERVENTIONS: Simultaneous topical dural application and intramuscular (IM) injection of unknown solutions of saline and morphine 3 mg. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative analgesia was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), a modified McGill-Melzack pain questionnaire, subjective nursing evaluations, and the amount of supplemental analgesic medication used. Patients were observed for complications and side effects. Compared with the patients who received epidural saline and IM morphine, the patients who received epidural morphine and IM saline had less postoperative pain as determined by VAS scores, nursing evaluations, and amount of supplemental opioid analgesic doses (1.6 +/- 1.2 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.2 analgesic doses per patient; p less than 0.05) required in the first 24 hours. Minor side effects were similar for the two groups. No patient developed respiratory depression. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine 3 mg applied topically to the dura at the end of laminectomy surgery is a simple, safe, and effective way of providing improved postoperative analgesia.     

Postoperative patient controlled analgesia

Patient controlled analgesia (PCA) helps patients to achieve a better comfort both at rest and when dynamic pain is concerned. This aim can be reached by closing the feedback loop in a shorter time. The purpose is to keep drug concentration in the narrow therapeutic range of MEAC (minimal effective analgesic concentration). Two methods of administration can be used: demand bolus; continuous infusion rate plus demand bolus. Continuous infusion method together with opioids administration increases lethal complications 0.28 to 1.08% (p<0.05), unless patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) is performed. Therefore, this method can be used only in ICU environment. An effective and safe dose delivering and a correct infusion timing is now possible due to recent improvement in technology. The success in PCA depends more by parameters chosen, patient and healthcare personnel compliance, monitoring of S(p)O(2), respiratory rate, pain VAS and Sedation Score than by the drug administered. There is recent evidence that PCA improves patient's comfort, but does not reduce the amount of personnel work, postoperative morbidity, analgesic consumption and costs.     

Efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia using a disposable PCA device

We evaluated efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) using a disposable PCA device (3.0 ml type). Twenty-two patients for elective gynecological surgery were randomized into two groups. Patients of the continuous epidural group received epidural fentanyl (15 micrograms.ml-1) with bupivacaine (1.25 mg.ml-1) from a disposable infusion pump (infusion rate: 2.1 ml.hr-1). Patients of the PCEA group received the same anesthetic solution from the same infusion pump serially connected to the disposable PCA device. There were no significant differences in postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and with movement between the two groups. However, VAS scores significantly decreased from 6.8 +/- 1.6 to 1.0 +/- 1.3 when the PCA device was used for severe pain. This suggests that segmental analgesic effect might be obtained by diffusion of anesthetic solution in the epidural space after 3.0 ml PCEA bolus administration. The incidences of side effects were similar in both groups. Respiratory depression and sedative effects were not observed in both groups. We conclude that PCEA using a disposable PCA device (3.0 ml type) seems to be effective for postoperative pain relief.     

Epidural analgesia in thoracic surgery--optimising postoperative rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION: A multimodal perioperative therapy strategy (fast-track) decreases the morbidity of general thoracic interventions and increases postoperative reconvalescence after lung resections. Thoracic surgery is associated with relevant pain and sufficient pain relief is essential for postoperative recovery. Epidural analgesia leads to adequate pain control with only minor side effects and complications and can therefore be a reasonable supplementation in a modern fast-track setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits and risks of an epidural catheter placed prior to surgery and to analyse the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. METHODS: 277 patients undergoing pulmonary resection through an anterolateral thoracotomy were included in our study. Epidural analgesia was carried out through placement of an epidural catheter equipped with Naropine-Sufenta perfusor prior to surgery. Perioperative clinical parameters as well as postoperative management were evaluated. Pain intensity was documented using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Side effects and complications were summarised in five grades of severity (1-5). Insufficient pain relief was recognised when a VAS > 4 was registered. RESULTS: Median patient age was 59 years, the male / female relation was precisely 2 : 1, on average epidural analgesia was carried out for 4.9 days. Severe complications (grade 4 or 5) were not found. In 37 % of the cases, minor complications and side effects were found, in 1 % clinical relevant complications led to further diagnostic measures. For sufficient pain relief, 10 % of the studied population needed additional treatment with systemic opioids. CONCLUSION: We have shown that epidural analgesia in patients undergoing thoracotomy leads to sufficient pain control with only minor disadvantages and complications. These are easily mastered without expensive diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Therefore, epidural analgesia is a safe and helpful tool for increased postoperative recovery within a modern fast-track setting.     

Pre-incisional epidural ropivacaine, sufentanil, clonidine, and (S)+-ketamine does not provide pre-emptive analgesia in patients undergoing major pancreatic surgery

BACKGROUND: The concept of pre-emptive analgesia remains controversial. This prospective, randomized, and double-blind study compared epidural administration of ropivacaine 2 mg ml(-1), sufentanil 0.5 microg ml(-1), clonidine 3 microg ml(-1), and S(+)-ketamine 0.25 mg ml(-1) (study solution) given before incision with the same combination started at the end of the operation. METHODS: After testing the stability of the solution using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and examining 12 patients for possible side-effects in comparison with the epidural infusion of ropivacaine 2 mg ml(-1) and sufentanil 0.5 microg ml(-1), 30 patients undergoing major pancreatic surgery were recruited into the study. Before induction of anaesthesia, an epidural catheter was inserted (TH6-8). Patients in Group 1 received a bolus of 8 ml followed by a continuous infusion (8 ml h(-1)) of the study solution before induction of anaesthesia. In Group 2, patients received the same volume of saline before operation, the study solution was started at the end of surgery. After operation, the infusion was maintained for at least 96 h using a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) pump in both groups. Patients were evaluated up to the seventh postoperative day for pain and side-effects. RESULTS: Visual analogue scale (VAS) values at rest were as follows: G1 vs G2: 24 h, 19 (sd 23) vs 6 (13); 48 h, 4 (10) vs 11 (21); and 72 h, 12 (22) vs 13 (21). VAS values during coughing and mobilization were also comparable. Total volume of epidural infusion was 904 (114) ml in G1 vs 892 (154) ml in G2. The incidence of side-effects (nausea, vomiting, and motor block) was low and not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-incisional epidural analgesic infusion did not provide pre-emptive analgesia compared with administration started at the end of surgery, but both groups had low pain scores.     

Epidural administration of low-dose morphine combined with clonidine for postoperative analgesia after lumbar disc surgery.

This study evaluates the efficacy and side effects of a low dose of epidural morphine combined with clonidine for postoperative pain relief after lumbar disc surgery. In 36 of 51 patients who accepted the procedure, an epidural catheter was inserted (L1-L2 level). General anesthesia was induced with propofol and sufentanil, and maintained with sevoflurane in O2/N2O. After emergence from anesthesia, epidural analgesia was initiated according to two randomly assigned protocols: 1 mg of morphine with 75 microg of clonidine (Group M) or 12.5 mg of bupivacaine with 75 microg of clonidine (Group B), in 10 mL saline. Piritramide was administered during the first postoperative 24 hours using a patient-controlled analgesia device (PCA). The following parameters were recorded: piritramide consumption during the first 24 hours; pain at rest during the first postoperative hours (D0), during the first night (D1), and during the first mobilization; [visual analogue scale (VAS)]; and the occurrence of drowsiness, motor blockade, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, itching, micturition problems, and bladder catheterization during D0 and D1. Epidural administration of morphine-clonidine significantly improved postoperative pain relief and reduced piritramide consumption as compared to epidural bupivacaine-clonidine. Side effects did not differ between groups except for a higher incidence of micturition problems in Group M during D1. The occurrence of bladder catheterization was not significantly higher in that group. We conclude that a low dose of epidural morphine combined with clonidine offers a better postoperative analgesia than does bupivacaine-clonidine. The excellent analgesic conditions were obtained at the expense of a higher incidence of difficulties in initiating micturition.