Local anesthesia with 20-mL prilocaine infiltration: the ultimate point for analgesia during shockwave lithotripsy?

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of 10 mL and 20 mL local prilocaine infiltration for analgesic purposes during shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) was compared, and the differences in pain intensity and need for additional analgesics were defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one patients between the ages of 16 and 69 with kidney stones were randomly separated into two groups. The 60 patients in group 1 received 10 mL prilocaine subcutaneously and deep lumbar infiltration into the area 1 cm below the twelfth rib 2 minutes before SWL. The 61 patients in group 2 received 20 mL subcutaneously and deep lumbar infiltration of prilocaine to the same locale, again 2 minutes before the process. All the patients received one session of SWL. For measurement of pain intensity, the 0 to 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) was used at 1 minute and every 10 minutes during the process. Intravenous fentanyl was administered to patients who had steady or increasing intensity of pain during the process. RESULTS: VAS values were statistically significantly higher in patients in group 1 compared with patients in group 2 during the process. While 40 patients received additional analgesia in group 1, only three patients in group 2 needed additional analgesia. CONCLUSION: Use of 20 mL subcutaneous and deep lumbar prilocaine infiltration during SWL for analgesic purposes is recommended as an efficient, cost-effective, anesthetist-independent, and reliable method.     

地佐辛联合帕瑞昔布钠超前镇痛对直肠癌术后镇痛效果观察

为探讨地佐辛与帕瑞昔布钠联合应用能否有效提高超前镇痛的效果及减少其它阿片类镇痛药物的用量,减轻直肠癌患者术后的疼痛及不良反应,将行直肠癌根治术的患者120例随机分为3组,每组40例。第一组（P组）：手术结束前30min静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40mg;第二组（D组）：手术结束前30min静脉注射地佐辛5mg;第三组（PD组）：手术结束前30min静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40mg和地佐辛5mg,术后所有患者行静脉自控镇痛（PCA）治疗。观察患者术后疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）,PCA有效按压次数和首次肛门排气、排便时间,Ramsay镇静评分,恶心、呕吐发生率等指标。结果显示,PD组患者PCA有效按压次数显著少于P组和D组（P〈O．05）;PD组患者首次肛门排气、排便时间早于P组和D组（P〈0．05）。结果表明,直肠癌根治术采用地佐辛联合帕瑞昔布钠超前镇痛加PCA治疗效果明确,可降低枸橼酸芬太尼的用量,患者胃肠功能恢复快。     

Diclofenac sodium versus fentanyl for analgesia in laparoscopic sterilization

The effectiveness of an anaesthetic technique employing diclofenac sodium as an analgesic given preoperativey by intramuscular injection was compared against one employing intravenous fentanyl in patients undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. Postoperative pain was marked and both drugs provided partial relief only. Patients in the diclofenac group had pain scores that were initially higher than those in the fentanyl group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant ( P < 0.02). Patients in the diclofenac group who received postoperative supplemental morphine analgesia recorded lower pain scores at 30 min than comparable patients in the fentanyl group ( P < 0.03). These findings suggest that neither drug provides sufficient analgesia for laparoscopic sterilization when given as a sole analgesic. Investigation of a combined analgesic technique employing morphine and a non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drug is warranted.     

术前应用帕瑞昔布钠对肾癌根治术后镇痛及肾功能的影响

目的观察术前应用帕瑞昔布钠对肾癌根治术患者镇痛效果及肾功能安全性的影响。方法择期行全麻下肾癌根治术患者60例,随机均分为两组。观察组于切皮前20 min静注帕瑞昔布钠40 mg,对照组静注生理盐水5 ml。术毕使用芬太尼自控镇痛泵。记录患者术后芬太尼的用量、自控镇痛次数、多时点动静态视觉模拟（VAS）评分、疼痛缓解程度评分（PR评分）和整体满意度评分（PGESM评分）及不良反应发生情况。测定患者术前、术后第1天、第3天24 h尿量、血肌酐（Cr）、尿素氮（Bun）、血β₂-微球蛋白（β₂-M）和视黄醇结合蛋白（RPB）。结果术后2、6、12 h VAS评分观察组低于对照组,PR及PGESM评分观察组优于对照组（P<0.05或P<0.01）。术后12、24 h芬太尼用量观察组较对照组分别减少26.9%和21.4%（P<0.01）,而不良反应发生率两组差异无统计学意义。两组患者手术前后肾功能指标均未见明显异常改变。结论术前应用帕瑞昔布钠配合术后芬太尼自控镇痛可减少芬太尼用量,未发现该药对围术期患者的肾功能产生影响。     

Parecoxib sodium,a parenteral cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor,improves morphine analgesia and is opioid-sparing following total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: This study examined the opioid-sparing effectiveness, analgesic efficacy, and tolerability of postoperative administration of the parenteral cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor, parecoxib sodium, in total hip arthroplasty patients. METHODS: This was a multicenter, multiple-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the opioid-sparing effects, analgesic efficacy, and tolerability of postoperative 20 and 40 mg intravenous parecoxib sodium with placebo in hip arthroplasty patients. The first dose of study medication was administered after surgery with an intravenous bolus dose of 4 mg morphine when patients first requested pain medication; remedication with the study medication occurred at 12 and 24 h. Subsequent morphine doses (1-2 mg) were administered by patient-controlled analgesia. Efficacy was assessed by total morphine used, pain relief and pain intensity, time to last dose of morphine, and Global Evaluation rating of the study medication. RESULTS: Parecoxib sodium, 20 and 40 mg, reduced the total amount of morphine required over 36 h by 22.1% (56.5 mg morphine) and 40.5% (43.1 mg morphine), respectively, compared with placebo (72.5 mg morphine; P < 0.01). Patients receiving 20 and 40 mg parecoxib sodium experienced significantly greater maximum pain relief compared with those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Patients who received 20 and 40 mg parecoxib sodium discontinued PCA morphine earlier than patients receiving placebo and had significantly higher Global Evaluation ratings. Parecoxib sodium, 40 mg, plus morphine demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of fever and vomiting compared with placebo plus morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of parecoxib sodium with PCA morphine resulted in significantly improved postoperative analgesic management as defined by reduction in opioid requirement, lower pain scores, reduced time on PCA morphine, and higher Global Evaluation ratings.     

帕瑞昔布钠联合盐酸羟考酮缓释片在全膝关节置换术后镇痛中的应用

目的 评估帕瑞昔布钠联合盐酸羟考酮控释片对全膝关节置换（TKA）术后镇痛的临床效果.方法选择单侧TKA术患者60例,分为帕瑞昔布钠组（A组,30例） 及帕瑞昔布钠联合盐酸羟考酮控释片组（B组,30例）.两组术毕即采用静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40 mg q12 h镇痛.术后24 h起,A组：当视觉模拟评分（VAS）〉5分时,静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40 mg,随后每隔12 h再静注帕瑞昔布钠40 mg;B组：当VAS〉5分时,静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40 mg,10 min后口服盐酸羟考酮控释片10 mg,随后每隔12h静注帕瑞昔布钠40 mg并口服盐酸羟考酮控释片10 mg.观察并记录：患者术后24、32、40、48及72 h静息及运动时VAS、Ramsay镇静评分（RSS）,术后48、72 h膝关节被动活动最大可忍受度,药物不良反应情况.结果与A组比较,B组术后32、40、48、72 h的静息及运动疼痛 VAS 评分降低（P〈0.05）,镇静评分增加（P〈0.05）,术后48 h和72 h患者可忍受最大屈曲角度增大（P〈0.05）.两组均未出现严重副反应.结论 帕瑞昔布钠与盐酸羟考酮控释片联合应用符合多模式镇痛趋势,可基本实现TKA患者术后无痛的目标,使患者顺利度过术后疼痛期.     

Parecoxib Sodium, a Parenteral Cyclooxygenase 2 Selective Inhibitor, Improves Morphine Analgesia and Is Opioid-sparing following Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: This study examined the opioid-sparing effectiveness, analgesic efficacy, and tolerability of postoperative administration of the parenteral cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitor, parecoxib sodium, in total hip arthroplasty patients.

Methods: This was a multicenter, multiple-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to compare the opioid-sparing effects, analgesic efficacy, and tolerability of postoperative 20 and 40 mg intravenous parecoxib sodium with placebo in hip arthroplasty patients. The first dose of study medication was administered after surgery with an intravenous bolus dose of 4 mg morphine when patients first requested pain medication; remedication with the study medication occurred at 12 and 24 h. Subsequent morphine doses (1-2 mg) were administered by patient-controlled analgesia. Efficacy was assessed by total morphine used, pain relief and pain intensity, time to last dose of morphine, and Global Evaluation rating of the study medication.

Results: Parecoxib sodium, 20 and 40 mg, reduced the total amount of morphine required over 36 h by 22.1% (56.5 mg morphine) and 40.5% (43.1 mg morphine), respectively, compared with placebo (72.5 mg morphine;P < 0.01). Patients receiving 20 and 40 mg parecoxib sodium experienced significantly greater maximum pain relief compared with those in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Patients who received 20 and 40 mg parecoxib sodium discontinued PCA morphine earlier than patients receiving placebo and had significantly higher Global Evaluation ratings. Parecoxib sodium, 40 mg, plus morphine demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of fever and vomiting compared with placebo plus morphine.     

乳腺癌根除术中联合应用帕瑞昔布钠与地佐辛超前镇痛的临床效果

目的：评价乳腺癌根除术中联合应用帕瑞昔布钠与地佐辛超前镇痛的临床效果。 方法：将170例行乳腺癌根除术的患者分为对照组、超前镇痛组、联合超前镇痛组，分别于麻醉诱导前注射生理盐水、帕瑞昔布钠、帕瑞昔布钠+地佐辛。记录患者术后2、6、12、24、48 h的视觉模拟评分（VAS），比较各组的镇痛效果，并比较各组心血管反应与不良反应的发生情况。 结果：超前镇痛与联合超前镇痛组术后各时间点VAS评分均明显低于对照组（均P<0.05），联合超前镇痛组术后2 h的VAS评分明显低于超前镇痛组（P<0.05），术后6~48 h各时间点VAS评分虽仍低于超前镇痛组，但差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。诱导开始前至手术结束，超前镇痛与联合超前镇痛组的心率（HR）与平均动脉压（MAP）均低于对照组，且在插管后5 min至手术结束时明显低于对照组（均P<0.05），但两个超前镇痛组间无统计学差异（均P>0.05）。超前镇痛与联合超前镇痛组不良反应发生率均明显小于对照组（均P<0.05），联合超前镇痛组恶心、呕吐、头晕的发生率大于超前镇痛组，但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论：帕瑞昔布钠和地佐辛联合应用于乳腺癌根除术超前镇痛临床效果良好，不会引发患者心血管反应的增多，但会可能增加患者呕吐恶心、头晕等不良反应。     

帕瑞昔布钠超前镇痛对老年病人术后认知功能的影响

目的 探讨帕瑞昔布钠超前镇痛对老年病人术后认知功能的影响.方法 择期行股骨头或全髋关节置换术的老年病人60例,均为小学文化程度,年龄69-83岁,体重47～73 kg,ASA分级Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,术前简易智能状态量表评分＞23分,采用随机数字表法,将病人随机分为2组(n=30):对照组(C组)和帕瑞昔布钠组(P组).全麻诱导前,P组静脉注射帕瑞昔布钠40 mg,C组给予等容量生理盐水.术后行PCIA,药物为曲马多和芬太尼,术后维持VAS评分≤3分,术后镇痛效果不佳时则静脉注射芬太尼0.2 μg/kg.分别于术前1 d、术后1、4、24、72 h时抽取外周静脉血样3 ml,采用放射免疫法检测血浆皮质醇浓度;术后72 h内采用简易智能状态量表评价认知功能,记录术后认知功能障碍的发生情况,记录术后曲马多和芬太尼的PCIA用量和芬太尼补救用药情况.结果 与C组比较,P组术后血浆皮质醇浓度降低,芬太尼和曲马多PCIA用量减少,芬太尼补救用药率降低,术后认知功能障碍发生率降低(P＜0.05).结论 帕瑞昔布钠40 mg超前镇痛可降低老年病人术后认知功能障碍的发生.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of preemptive analgesia with parecoxib sodium on postoperative cognitive junction in the elderly patients.Methods Sixty ASA ⅠorⅡ patients aged 69-83 yr weighing 47-73 kg undergoing elective operation on the femoral head or hip joint were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30 each):control group (group C) and parecoxib group (group P).Their preoperative mini-mental state examination scores were more than 23.Parecoxib sodium 40 mg in 5 ml normal saline was injected iv before induction of anesthesia in group P. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with fentanyl and tramadol was used in all patients. VAS score was maintained ≤3. If VAS score was more than 3, a bolus of fentanyl 0.2 μg/kg was given iv.Venous blood samples were taken at 1 day before and 1, 4, 24 and 72 h after operation for determination of plasma concentrations of cortisol.Cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination. The total amount of fentanyl and tramadol consumed was recorded. Results Plasma cortisol concentrations and incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction were significantly lower and the total amount of fentanyl and tramadol consumed was smaller in group P than in group C.Conclusion Preemptive analgesia with parecoxib sodium 40 mg can reduce the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in the elderly patients.     

Four analgesic techniques for shockwave lithotripsy: eutectic mixture local anesthetic is a good alternative

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Various sedative and analgesic medication has been used for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different anesthesia modalities in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly divided into four groups. The first (Group F) received fentanyl 1 microg/kg intravenously (IV), the second (Group D) received diclofenac sodium 1 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM), the third (Group T) received tramadol 1.5 mg/kg IM, and the fourth (Group E) was given 15 g of eutectic mixture local anesthetic (EMLA) cream containing lidocaine and prilocaine. After routine preoperative evaluation, all patients received midazolam 2 mg IV 5 minutes before lithotripsy for sedative premedication. In all groups, a supplemental 25-microg bolus of fentanyl was administered IV when patients complained of pain, moved, or grimaced in response to the shockwaves. Pain intensity was evaluated on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). The level of sedation was determined using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAS/S). Side effects such as bradypnea, oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, pruritus, and nausea and vomiting were recorded. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups with regard to VAS, OAS/S scores, or side effects. In Group F, the mean arterial pressure was decreased significantly at 10 and 20 minutes. The patients in this group also manifested a decrease of oxygen saturation at the first, tenth, and twentieth minutes and the end of SWL. CONCLUSION: Application of EMLA cream was as safe and effective as fentanyl, diclofenac, and tramadol, and reduction of the fentanyl dose during SWL was possible.     

Effectiveness of eutectic mixture of local anesthetic cream and occlusive dressing with low dosage of fentanyl for pain control during shockwave lithotripsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate the effect and usefulness of Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetic (EMLA) applied with an occlusive dressing and used simultaneously with a low dose of fentanyl during shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty patients with kidney stones, aged between 19 and 68 years, were randomly divided into seven groups that were treated as follows: group 1: fentanyl 1 microg/kg by intravenous infusion (IV); group 2: IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg; group 3: occlusive dressing and IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg; group 4: placebo cream and IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg; group 5: EMLA cream and IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg; group 6: placebo cream and IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg with an occlusive dressing; and group 7: EMLA cream and IV fentanyl 0.25 microg/kg with an occlusive dressing. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, ventilatory rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were recorded on all patients. A visual analog scale 0-100 mm (VAS) was used for the evaluation of pain. The skin integrity was inspected to detect any lesions after SWL. RESULTS: The SpO(2) in group 1 was lower statistically than in the other groups. The VAS score in group 7 was clearly lower than in the others in the first, tenth, and twentieth minutes and at the end of SWL. In groups 6 and 7, additional fentanyl doses were lower than in the other groups, but only in group 7 was the total fentanyl dosage low. Skin lesions were not seen only in groups 3, 6, and 7. CONCLUSION: Use of EMLA and an occlusive dressing with low doses of fentanyl during SWL provides appropriate analgesia with minimal morbidity.     

Use of the NMDA antagonist magnesium sulfate during monitored anesthesia care for shockwave lithotripsy

PURPOSE: To assess whether intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion affects analgesic requirements during monitored anesthesia care (MAC) for shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients in ASA class I or II undergoing SWL with MAC were randomized into two groups. Induction of MAC was produced by bolus doses of midazolam 0.03 mg/kg(-1) and fentanyl 0.5 microg/kg(-1) followed by intravenous infusion of midazolam 0.015 to 0.06 mg/kg(-1)/hr(-1) with fentanyl supplementation 0.2 microg/kg(-1). In addition, group I patients received magnesium sulfate 30 mg/kg(-1) intravenously as a bolus dose followed by a continuous infusion of 10 mg/kg(-1) /hr(-1) beginning 15 minutes before induction of sedation. The midazolam infusion rate and additional fentanyl doses were adjusted by verbal analog scale (VAS) measurements, observer assessment sedation score (OAA/S), and achieving a target bispectral index (BIS) in a range of 70 to 90. At the end of SWL, the total midazolam and total fentanyl consumptions were recorded, and the serum magnesium concentration was measured. RESULTS: Magnesium caused significant decreases in the total consumption of midazolam (P = 0.001) and fentanyl (P = 0.001). The VAS values at the 15th, 20th, and 25th minute in group I were significantly lower than in group II. In group I, hemodynamic and arterial oxygen parameters were better than in group II. CONCLUSION: A magnesium bolus and infusion can be utilized to reduce analgesic requirements under MAC during SWL.     

Efficacy and safety of intravenous parecoxib sodium in relieving acute postoperative pain following gynecologic laparotomy surgery

BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypothesis that an injectable cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-specific inhibitor will be at least as effective and well tolerated as a COX-nonspecific conventional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) by comparing the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of one intravenous dose of parecoxib sodium, an injectable prodrug of the novel COX-2-specific inhibitor, valdecoxib, with ketorolac and placebo in postoperative laparotomy surgery patients. Intravenous morphine, 4 mg, was studied as a positive analgesic control. METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, women experiencing moderate-to-severe pain on the first day after abdominal hysterectomy or myomectomy received one intravenous dose of parecoxib sodium, 20 or 40 mg, ketorolac, 30 mg, morphine, 4 mg, or placebo. Analgesic efficacy and tolerability were evaluated for 24 h postdose or until patients, whose pain was not adequately controlled, opted to receive rescue analgesia. RESULTS: Two hundred two patients were enrolled. All treatment groups had comparable demographics and baseline pain status. All active treatments had an equally rapid time to onset of analgesia (10-23 min). Overall, each parecoxib sodium dose and ketorolac were significantly superior to morphine and placebo for most measures of analgesic efficacy at most time points, including a significantly longer (two- to threefold) time to rescue analgesia (P 相似文献   

Intravenous parecoxib sodium foracute pain after orthopedic knee surgery

Our objective in a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled study was to evaluate and compare the analgesic effectiveness of single intravenous (IV) doses of parecoxib sodium 20 and 40 mg, morphine 4 mg, and ketorolac 30 mg in the postsurgical orthopedic pain model. After undergoing unilateral total knee replacement surgery, 208 healthy adult patients were randomized to receive placebo or a study drug within 6 hours of discontinuation of patient-controlled analgesia on postoperative day 1. Onset of analgesia was similarly rapid with IV parecoxib sodium 40 mg, morphine, and ketorolac. Level and duration of analgesia were significantly superior with parecoxib sodium than with morphine and were similar for parecoxib sodium and ketorolac. Parecoxib sodium was safe and well tolerated. In conclusion, IV parecoxib sodium 40 mg is as effective as ketorolac 30 mg and is more effective than morphine 4 mg and therefore has potential widespread utility in acute postoperative pain management.     

The use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation during the biliary lithotripsy procedure

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been suggested as a means to reduce the amount of intravenous analgesia/sedation in patients undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). A retrospective analysis of 79 ESWL procedures on 73 consecutive unselected patients was done in an attempt to determine the effectiveness of TENS in reducing the amount of intravenous fentanyl citrate and/or midazolam HCl needed to control pain and anxiety during the ESWL procedure. The study was divided into two parts: (1) all patients receiving TENS (n = 44) versus a non-TENS group (n = 35), and (2) comparison of the early (n = 22) and late non-TENS (n = 22) groups against each other; separately the late non-TENS group was compared to the entire TENS group. In the study, TENS reduce the amount of fentanyl citrate needed to control anxiety by 22.9% (P less than 0.025). No difference was noted when the early and late non-TENS group of patients were compared to each other. A gender difference was noted with a significant reduction in the dose of fentanyl citrate only in female patients receiving TENS (45.4%). Likewise, there was a significant reduction in the dose of midazolam HCl only in males who had TENS (38.9%). The data suggests that TENS may be a useful addition to reduce the amount of sedation and analgesia during ESWL.     

Epidural sufentanil provides better analgesia from 24 h after surgery compared with epidural fentanyl in children

Background: Studies comparing epidural fentanyl and sufentanil in adults reported a similar analgesic effect with variable side effects. We hypothesized that epidural fentanyl and sufentanil will have a similar analgesic effect in children undergoing urological surgery. Methods: Sixty‐four children undergoing urological surgery were randomized into two groups: fentanyl in ropivacaine (fentanyl group, n=32) and sufentanil in ropivacaine (sufentanil group, n=32). After anaesthesia, an epidural catheter was inserted at the L2–3, L3–4 or L4–5 interspace. For post‐operative pain relief, a solution consisting of fentanyl 0.1 mcg/kg/ml or sufentanil 0.015 mcg/kg/ml in 1.5 mg/ml ropivacaine was infused at a rate of 2 ml/h. To assess post‐operative pain, the faces pain scale and the face, legs, activity, cry, consolability score were recorded at 1, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery. The incidence of adverse effects such as hypoxia, sedation, pruritus, nausea and/or vomiting was also evaluated. Results: Pain scores demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. The need for rescue analgesia during 24–72 h was higher in the fentanyl group than in the sufentanil group (6/32 vs. 0/32, P=0.012). The incidence of pruritus was higher in the sufentanil group compared with that in the fentanyl group (5/32 vs. 0/32). Conclusions: Epidural sufentanil provides better analgesia from 24 h after surgery compared with epidural fentanyl in infants and children undergoing urological surgery. The incidence of pruritus in the sufentanil group was higher than that in the fentanyl group.     

Acupuncture for pain in extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In most cases, analgesia is required for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) treatment. Commonly, a combination of a sedative and a synthetic opioid is used, with a wide range of undesirable side effects. To provide an alternative analgesic especially for outpatients, we performed a prospective trial investigating the usefulness of acupuncture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 90 patients were included in the study, 49% of whom presented with renal calculi and 10% with proximal-, 10% with middle-, and 31% with distal-ureteral stones. Pain control was performed by acupuncture in the traditional Asian method. The intensity of pain and patient satisfaction were assessed a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients with previous SWL under conventional analgesia also were asked about differences in pain and satisfaction. RESULTS: No significant side effects occurred. The median pain score on the VAS was 2/10 (interquartile range 1). Six patients (6.6%) specified a pain intensity of >4, and in 4 patients (4.4%), a conventional analgesic had to be given to finish SWL. The median satisfaction level was 2/5 (interquartile range 1). Nearly all (93.4%) of the patients would opt again for acupuncture in case of repeated SWL. CONCLUSION: In many patients, acupuncture achieves satisfactory pain control for SWL. Further randomized multi-institutional studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.     

Perioperative analgesia in pulmonary surgery

AIM: In pulmonary surgery many studies have shown how pain associated with residual doses of anaesthetic drugs can cause a decrease in pulmonary volumes and depression of the cough reflex. Both these phenomena are responsible for a rising incidence of postoperative mortality and morbidity. The most widely used postoperative analgesic techniques are continuous systemic analgesia and epidural analgesia. The aim of this study is to verify the advantages and the disadvantages of both analgesic techniques. METHODS: Fifty patients, undergoing pulmonary surgery, were recruited and divided, after randomization into 2 groups. Patients included in A group received an epidural administration of naropina 0.2%+fentanyl 4 microg/mL by elastomeric pump (rate 5 ml/h). Patients included in B group received an ev continuous infusion of tramadol 600 mg+ketorolac trometamina 120 mg+ranitidina 200 mg+ondansetron 16 mg by elastomeric pump (rate 5 ml/h for 48 hours). RESULTS: Both groups showed good analgesic effects. Pain rest relief was between 3 and 1.7 points in group B and between 2.5 and 0.4 points in group A. Incident pain was 4.8 at awakening time and it decreased to 4 after 48 hours in group B while in group A it was from 3.2 to 1.8 in the same period of B group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that both analgesic techniques are able to guarantee a good rest pain relief after thoracotomy. Epidural analgesia showed more efficacy as far as incident pain relief but it was more difficult to realise and it showed less acceptance by patients.     

Patient supplemented epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgery with bupivacaine/fentanyl or ropivacaine/fentanyl

PURPOSE: To compare analgesic efficacy and occurrence of motor block and other side effects during patient supplemented epidural analgesia (PSEA) with either ropivacaine/fentanyl or bupivacaine/fentanyl mixtures. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 32 ASAI-III patients undergoing major abdominal surgery received an epidural catheter at the T8- T10, followed by integrated general epidural anesthesia. Postoperative epidural analgesia was provided using a patient controlled pump with either ropivacaine 0.2%/2 microg x ml(-1) fentanyl (group Ropivacaine, n = 16) or bupivacaine 0.125%/2 microg x ml(-1) fentanyl (group Bupivacaine, n = 16) [background infusion 4-6 ml x hr(-1), 1.5 ml Incremental Doses and 20 min lock out]. Verbal pain rating score, number of incremental doses, consumption of epidural analgesic solution and rescue analgesics, sedation (four-point scale), and pulse oximetry were recorded by a blind observer for 48 hr after surgery. RESULTS: No differences in pain relief, motor block, degree of sedation, pulse oximetry and other side effects were observed between the two groups. The number of incremental doses and the volume of analgesic solution infused epidurally were higher in patients receiving the bupivacaine/fentanyl mixture (10 [0-52] I.D. and 236 [204-340] ml) than in patients receiving the ropivacaine/fentanyl solution (5 [0-50] I.D. and 208 [148-260] ml) (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Using a ropivacaine 0.2%/2 microg x ml(-1) fentanyl mixture for patient supplemented epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgery provided similar successful pain relief as bupivacaine 0.125%/2 microg x ml(-1) fentanyl, but patients receiving bupivacaine/fentanyl requested more supplemental.     

A comparative study of the analgesic effect of patient-controlled morphine, pethidine, and tramadol for postoperative pain management after abdominal hysterectomy

We designed this prospective, randomized, double-blind study to compare the analgesic effectiveness and side effects of IV patient-controlled morphine, pethidine, and tramadol for postoperative pain management. One-hundred-twenty-six ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were randomly allocated to receive IV-patient controlled morphine (M), pethidine (P), or tramadol (T) for postoperative analgesia. The cumulative analgesic consumption over 24 h was 25.7 +/- 9.5 mg for morphine, 266 +/- 90 mg for pethidine, and 320 +/- 10 mg for tramadol. The average supplementary fentanyl dose used was significantly higher in group T than in groups M and P (P < 0.05). In conclusion, morphine, pethidine, and tramadol resulted in equivalent pain scores and side effects, but tramadol group T required more rescue analgesic doses of fentanyl.