Preemptive gabapentin decreases postoperative pain after lumbar discoidectomy

PURPOSE: We investigated whether the preemptive use of gabapentin, a structural analogue of gamma amino butyric acid could reduce postoperative pain and fentanyl consumption in patients after single-level lumbar discoidectomy. METHODS: Fifty-six ASA I and II patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups to receive either gabapentin 300 mg or placebo two hours before surgery. After surgery, the pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at intervals of 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 hr at rest. Total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 hr after surgery was also recorded. Fentanyl 2 mug.kg(-1) intravenously was used to treat postoperative pain on patients' demand. RESULTS: Patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower VAS scores at all time intervals of 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 hr than those in the placebo group (3.5 +/- 2.3, 3.2 +/- 2.1, 1.8 +/- 1.7, 1.2 +/- 1.3 vs 6.1 +/- 1.7, 4.4 +/- 1.2, 3.3 +/- 1.1, 2.1 +/- 1.2; P < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumed after surgery in the first 24 hr in the gabapentin group (233.5 +/- 141.9, mean + SD) was significantly less than in the placebo group (359.6 +/- 104.1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Preemptive gabapentin 300 mg po significantly decreases the severity of pain postoperatively in patients who undergo single-level lumbar discoidectomy.     

Preoperative gabapentin augments intraoperative hypotension and reduces postoperative opioid requirements with functional endoscopic sinus surgery

BackgroundFunctional Endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a delicate and time consuming procedure; it is performed routinely under general anesthesia. Hypotensive techniques should be employed for best visualization of operative field. Gabapentin is a structural analog of gamma amino butyric acid. The aim of this study was to determine the analgesic efficacy of gabapentin and its role in deliberate hypotension during and after FESS.MethodsEighty patients ASA physical status I–II patients were scheduled to undergo elective FESS under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups using a computer-generated table. Patients in the control group (40 patients) received oral placebo capsules and the study group (40 patients) patients received oral gabapentin (Conventin 400 mg; Evapharma Egypt) 1.2 g 1 h before surgery. Intraoperative, mean arterial blood pressure, infusion rates of the hypotensive agent (sodium nitroprusside) were recorded at 15 min interval. Assessments of pain, opioid usage, and side effects were performed at 1 h interval after arrival in the PACU.ResultsGabapentin group patients required significantly lower (p value <0.05) infusion rates and total doses of hypotensive agent (sodium nitroprusside) than the placebo group patients at all measured intervals. Postoperative assessment of pain scores revealed that gabapentin group recorded significantly lower mean values of VAS than the control group (p value <0.05).ConclusionOral gabapentin, 1200 mg decreased dose requirements of intraoperative hypotensive agent (sodium nitroprusside) and postoperative morphine. In addition, patients receiving gabapentin had suffered less from opioid side effects (nausea, vomiting and urinary retention) than those receiving placebo.     

Preoperative naproxen sodium reduces postoperative pain following arthroscopic knee surgery

This study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a single preoperative dose of naproxen sodium in reducing postoperative pain and length of day surgery stay in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 66 ASA I and ASA II patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery. The treatment group (n = 26) received two capsules containing 275 mg of naproxen sodium each, and the control group (n = 40) received placebo. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue pain scores, postoperative analgesic requirements in hospital as well as 24 hr after discharge, and length of day surgery stay were studied. There was a decrease in postoperative pain, both in hospital (naproxen 0.7 ±1.2 vs placebo 2.2 ±2.3) and at 24 hr after discharge (naproxen 0.8 ±1.9 vs placebo 3.8 ±3.2) (P = 0.0001). There was no difference in the need for in-hospital postoperative analgesics or in the time to discharge. However, there was a difference in the use of analgesics after discharge (naproxen group 30.4% vs placebo group 71.4%) (P < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that a single preoperative dose of 550 mg naproxen sodium is effective in reducing postoperative pain in arthroscopic knee surgery, both in the immediate postoperative period and for up to 24 hr after the completion of surgery.     

Preemptive use of gabapentin significantly decreases postoperative pain and rescue analgesic requirements in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the comparative preemptive effects of gabapentin and tramadol on postoperative pain and fentanyl requirement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Four hundred fifty-nine ASA I and II patients were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg gabapentin, 100 mg tramadol or placebo in a double-blind manner two hours before laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Postoperatively, patients' pain scores were recorded on a visual analogue scale every two hours for the initial 12 hr and thereafter every three hours for the next 12 hr. Patients received fentanyl 2 micro g*kg(-1) intravenously on demand. The total fentanyl consumption for each patient was recorded. RESULTS: Patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower pain scores at all time intervals (2.65 +/- 3.00, 1.99 +/- 1.48, 1.40 +/- 0.95, 0.65 +/- 0.61) in comparison to tramadol (2.97 +/- 2.35, 2.37 +/- 1.45, 1.89 +/- 1.16, 0.87 +/- 0.50) and placebo (5.53 +/- 2.22, 3.33 +/- 1.37, 2.41 +/- 1.19, 1.19 +/- 0.56). Significantly less fentanyl was consumed in the gabapentin group (221.16 +/- 52.39 micro g) than in the tramadol (269.60 +/- 44.17 micro g) and placebo groups (355.86 +/- 42.04 micro g; P < 0.05). Sedation (33.98%), nausea/retching/vomiting (24.8%) were the commonest side effects in the gabapentin group whereas respiratory depression (3.9%) was the commonest in the tramadol group and vertigo (7.8%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Preemptive use of gabapentin significantly decreases postoperative pain and rescue analgesic requirement in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Infiltration with ropivacaine plus lornoxicam reduces postoperative pain and opioid consumption

PURPOSE: To compare efficacy and patient outcome of wound infiltration with ropivacaine, lornoxicam, or their combination for control of pain following thyroid surgery. METHODS: Eighty patients underwent thyroid surgery were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Before skin closure, local tissues were infiltrated with 12 mL saline in Group S, with 10 mL of ropivacaine 0.75% plus 2 mL saline in Group R, with 2 mL of lornoxicam (8 mg) plus 10 mL saline in Group L, and with 10 mL ropivacaine 0.75% plus 2 mL lornoxicam (8 mg) in Group RL. Pain scores, total and incremental meperidine con-eight, 12, 18, and 24 hr postoperatively. Time to first analgesic requirement, patient satisfaction, and duration of hospital stay were also compared after surgery. RESULTS: The pain scores in Group RL were significantly lower in the first 12 hr than in Group S, and in the first four hours than in Groups R and L (P < 0.01). The time to first analgesic requirement was significantly longer (14.8 +/- 8.4 hr vs 5.9 +/- 5.2 hr; P < 0.01), the total pethidine consumption was significantly less than Group S (34.0 +/- 33.0 mg vs 78.0 +/- 29.8 mg; P<0.001), return of gastrointestinal function, ambulation time, length of hospital stay (P < 0.05) were significantly shorter, and patient satisfaction (P < 0.01) was significantly better in Group RL than in Group S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Wound infiltration with ropivacaine 0.75% plus lornoxicam 8 mg combination improved postoperative pain control and patient comfort, and decreased the need for opioids than the use of either drug alone.     

Acetazolamide reduces postoperative pain following laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy

Background

Carbonic acid accumulation, which results from CO₂ insufflation, can produce visceral and referred pain in the postoperative setting. Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme that accelerates carbonic acid formation. We hypothesized that preoperative administration of acetazolamide would decrease postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent laparoscopic preperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy at the Medical College of Wisconsin between October 2012 and September 2014. Beginning in January 2014, patients began receiving 250 mg of acetazolamide preoperatively; patients prior to that time did not. The visual analog scale (range 0–10) was used to assess both preoperative pain and postoperative pain.

Results

A total of 66 patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy during the study interval. Of these, 22 (33 %) patients received acetazolamide preoperatively, and 44 (67 %) were included as controls. Overall mean pain scores were lower in the acetazolamide group (1.9 ± 1.45 vs 2.9 ± 1.5, p = 0.04). Specifically, patients who received acetazolamide reported lower pain scores immediately after surgery (0.6 ± 1.2 vs 1.9 ± 2.3, p = 0.01) and on post-op day one (2.3 ± 0.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.1, p = 0.04). Total morphine equivalents administered to manage postoperative pain were significantly less for the acetazolamide group (4.3 ± 4.8 mg) when compared to the control group (8.9 ± 8.4 mg), p = 0.04. Perioperative complications did not differ between the groups (p = 0.16).

Conclusions

Acetazolamide appears to reduce pain in the immediate postoperative setting. Patients who received acetazolamide had lower pain scores postoperatively and required fewer narcotics for pain management prior to discharge.

     

Preoperative ampiroxicam reduces postoperative pain after hand surgery

We performed a double blind randomised controlled study to assess whether the preoperative administration of ampiroxicam reduced the level of postoperative pain in 120 patients who underwent surgery to a hand under brachial plexus block. We found that preoperative (pre-emptive) administration of ampiroxicam significantly reduced the postoperative pain levels and the need for postoperative analgesia.     

超前镇痛在骨科术后疼痛治疗中的应用

目的 研究超前镇痛在骨科术后疼痛治疗中的应用效果.方法 2010年5月至2011年1月,将收治入院行骨科手术的163例18～70岁各类骨折患者随机分成两组,试验组83例接受超前镇痛治疗:塞来昔布400 mg术前晚间顿服,术后帕瑞昔布每12小时40 mg im应用2 d,若镇痛效果不佳则给予曲马多100mg im,可反复...     

Rectal indomethacin reduces postoperative pain and morphine use after cardiac surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the combination of rectal indomethacin with patient controlled intravenous morphine analgesia (PCA) on postoperative pain relief and opioid use after cardiac surgery. METHODS: With institutional ethics approval, 57 consenting adults undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass surgery were randomly assigned preoperatively in a double-blind fashion to receive either placebo (n = 26) or indomethacin 100 mg suppositories (n = 31), 2-3 hr postoperatively, and 12 hr later. Both groups utilized PCA morphine. Pain scores in the two treatment groups were assessed on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) (at rest and with cough) at 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hr after initial dosing, and were analyzed through a 2 x 5 repeated measures of variance. The 24 hr analgesic consumption, 12 and 24 hr chest tube blood loss, and time to tracheal extubation were also recorded, and compared for the two treatment arms through Student's t test on independent samples. RESULTS: Postoperative morphine consumption in the first 24 hr was 38% less in the indomethacin group (22.40 +/- 12.55 mg) than the placebo group (35.99 +/- 25.84 mg), P = 0.019. Pain scores, measured with a VAS, were 26% to 66% lower in the indomethacin vs placebo group at rest (P = 0.006), but not with cough, for all times assessed. There was no difference in blood loss (at 12 hr) or time to tracheal extubation for both groups. CONCLUSION: The combination of indomethacin with morphine after cardiac surgery results in reduced postoperative pain scores and opioid use without an increase in side effects.     

Preoperative epidural fentanyl reduces postoperative pain after upper abdominal surgery

Forty patients, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status 1–2, undergoing subtotal gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. The patients were allocated to two groups with or (group P) and without (group C) preoperative epidural fentanyl 100 μg. Postoperatively, all patients received continuous infusion of the study solution, containing fentanyl 30 μg·ml⁻¹ and 2 mg/ml bupivacaine, at a rate of 0.7 ml·h⁻¹ for 72 h. The scores on the Prince Henry Hospital self-assessed pain scale (PHPS) were recorded at 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after the surgery. We compared the total rescue doses of analgesics during each period of 24 h until 72 h postoperatively. Although the total rescue doses of analgesics were not different between the groups, the median PHPS score was lower in group P than in group C, except at 0 h after the surgery. Preoperative epidural fentanyl 100 μg may increase the analgesic potency of postoperative epidural low-dose infusion of bupivacaine with fentanyl.     

Preemptive analgesia for postoperative pain after frontotemporal craniotomy

Two thirds of patients suffer from moderate to severe pain after frontotemporal craniotomy. We think neurosurgeons must try to reduce the postoperative pain, which may induce postoperative hypertension, restlessness, and pathological pains. To investigate how preemptive analgesia effects postoperative pain, we assessed the pain in 20 consecutive patients who underwent neck clipping for non-ruptured cerebral aneurysms of anterior circulation systems by frontotemporal craniotomies. Ten patients underwent preemptive analgesia with four procedures (preemptive group) as follows, 1) oral administration of long-acting non-steroid anti inflammatory drug (NSAID, ampiroxicam) two hours before the surgical operation, 2) nerve blockades of the supra-orbital nerve and the infra-orbital nerve by bupivacaine, 3) local anesthesia of the scalp along the marker of a skin incision by xylocaine, 4) local anesthesia by bupivacaine along a skin incision after the skin closure. Ten patients of the control group underwent only procedure No. 3. Visual analog pain score (VAS) for postoperative pain 6, 12, and 24 hours, and 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after operation and NSAID administration for the pain were evaluated. Patients of the preemptive group had significantly less postoperative pain during the whole post-surgery period and required less administration of NSAID than the control group. Preemptive analgesia procedures No. 1, 2 and 4 reduced the postoperative pain and the total administration of NSAID. Postoperative pain may be reduced after other types of brain surgery, with proper nerve blocks like procedure No. 2, procedures No. 1, 3 and 4.     

Preemptive effects of a combination of preoperative diclofenac, butorphanol, and lidocaine on postoperative pain management following orthognathic surgery.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether preemptive multimodal analgesia (diclofenac, butorphanol, and lidocaine) was obtained during sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). Following institutional approval and informed consent, 82 healthy patients (ASA-I) undergoing SSRO were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups, the preemptive multimodal analgesia group (group P, n = 41) and the control group (group C, n = 41). This study was conducted in a double-blind manner. Patients in group P received 50 mg rectal diclofenac sodium, 10 micrograms/kg intravenous 0.1% butorphanol tartrate, and 1% lidocaine solution containing 10 micrograms/mL epinephrine for regional anesthesia and for bilateral inferior alveolar nerve blocks before the start of surgery. Postoperative pain intensity at rest (POPI) was assessed on a numerical rating score (NRS) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at the first water intake (FWI) and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after extubation. POPI in the PACU was significantly lower in group P than in group C, whereas there were no significant differences at FWI, 24, 48, and 72 hours after extubation in both groups. Preemptive multimodal analgesia was not observed in this study.     

A comprehensive multimodal pain treatment reduces opioid consumption after multilevel spine surgery

Purpose

Major spine surgery with multilevel instrumentation is followed by large amount of opioid consumption, significant pain and difficult mobilization in a population of predominantly chronic pain patients. This case–control study investigated if a standardized comprehensive pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) treatment protocol would improve pain treatment in this population.

Methods

A new regimen with acetaminophen, NSAIDs, gabapentin, S-ketamine, dexamethasone, ondansetron and epidural local anesthetic infusion or patient controlled analgesia with morphine, was introduced in a post-intervention group of 41 consecutive patients undergoing multilevel (median 10) instrumented spinal fusions and compared with 44 patients in a pre-intervention group.

Results

Compared to patients in the pre-intervention group, patients treated according to the new protocol consumed less opioid on postoperative day (POD) 1 (P = 0.024) and 2 (P = 0.048), they were mobilized earlier from bed (P = 0.003) and ambulation was earlier both with and without a walking frame (P = 0.027 and P = 0.027, respectively). Finally, patients following the new protocol experienced low intensities of nausea, sedation and dizziness on POD 1–6.

Conclusions

In this study of patients scheduled for multilevel spine surgery, it was demonstrated that compared to a historic group of patients receiving usual care, a comprehensive and standardized multimodal pain and PONV protocol significantly reduced opioid consumption, improved postoperative mobilization and presented concomitant low levels of nausea, sedation and dizziness.     

Preemptive opioid analgesia does not influence pain after abdominal hysterectomy

Opioid administration before surgical stimulus may reduce or prevent subsequent pain. We studiied the effect of timing of opioid administration on the pain-related behaviour after abdominal hysterectomy. Eighty-five patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy were blindly randomized to receive fentanyl 10 μg· kg^?1 before induction of anaesthesia (FA), after peritoneal incision (FB) or after removal of the uterus (FC), or sufentanil 1 μg· kg^?1 before induction of anaesthesia (SA) or after peritoneal incision (SB) respectively. All patients received a standard postoperative analgesic regimen. The time from skin closure to the first analgesic request was recorded. Pain was assessed using the VAS and a verbal rating score (VSR 1 =no pain to 6 = intolerable pain) every 30 min until patients asked for the first analgesic, and 24 hr postoperatively. The times from skin closure to the first analgesic request did not differ among the five groups. The VAS scores using the two-way ANOVA with repeated measurements differed among the five groups (F = 4.046, df = 4, 213, P < 0.005). The VAS scores with one-way ANOVA differed among the five groups 30 min postoperatively (F = 4.542, df = 4, 58, P < 0.003), being higher in the FA (6.5 ± 1.8) and SA (5.9 ± 2.1) groups than in the FC (3.2 ± 2.5) group, and at 120 min postoperatively (F = 3.217, df= 4, 18, P < 0.05), being higher in the FA than in the FB group (6.1 ± 7.5 and 2.6 ± 1.9 respectively). The VRS scores did not differ among the FA, FB, FC, SA and SB groups at any time. This study failed to demonstrate a preemptive effect of systemic administration of fentanyl or sufentanil in the doses tested.     

Effect of local anesthetics on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Background

Several studies have evaluated use of local anesthetic, specifically, administration of intraperitoneal anesthetic, during laparoscopic general surgery and gynecologic operations, with varying results. There have been no studies to determine the role of local anesthetic in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. This study evaluates the efficacy of subcutaneous and intraperitoneal anesthetic in reducing postoperative pain following common laparoscopic colorectal procedures, in patients managed with enhanced recovery care pathways.

Methods

A single-institution retrospective cohort analysis of 172 patients who underwent common elective laparoscopic colorectal procedures was carried out. Over three consecutive time periods, patients were divided into three study arms, based on administration of local anesthetic. The first group received no local anesthetic (n?=?66), the next received only subcutaneous bupivacaine (n?=?67), and the final group received both subcutaneous bupivacaine and intraperitoneal lidocaine (n?=?44). Pain scores, time in the postoperative care unit, and the amount of opioid pain medication consumed in the immediate postoperative period were quantified.

Results

There was no difference in pain scores reported between the three study arms, including upon arrival and upon leaving the recovery unit (P?≤?0.086, P?≤?0.166), and at 3, 6, 9, and 12?h postoperatively (P?≤?0.332, P?≤?0.142, P?≤?0.155, P?≤?0.872). There was no significant difference in the amount of postoperative opioid analgesia consumed between the three study arms on postoperative day 0 and on postoperative day 1 (P?≤?0.365, P?≤?0.458). There were no significant differences in the amount of time spent in the postoperative care unit, hospital stay, 30?day morbidity, or 30?day mortality between the three study arms.

Conclusions

Use of local anesthetic does not influence postoperative opioid requirements or patients’ subjective report of pain following laparoscopic colorectal procedures managed within enhanced recovery care pathways.