The analgesic efficacy of tramadol versus ketorolac in day-case laparoscopic sterilisation

We conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blind study to compare the analgesic efficacy of intravenous tramadol 1.5 mg.kg-1 and ketorolac 10 mg in 60 ASA grade 1 and 2 patients scheduled to undergo day-case laparoscopic sterilisation by application of Filshie clips. Patients who received tramadol had significantly less postoperative pain in the recovery room (p = 0.007) and at discharge from the day-surgery unit (p = 0.03), and they required rescue analgesia with morphine less often (p = 0.02) than patients who received ketorolac. No difference in either the incidence or severity of nausea and vomiting was observed between the two groups. Both analgesic drugs were well tolerated at the doses given in the study, although dry mouth was significantly more common after the administration of tramadol (p = 0.009). Three patients in the tramadol group and five in the ketorolac group required overnight admission due to pain or nausea and vomiting.     

Assessment of recovery following day-case arthroscopy

Fifty healthy patients, aged 15–45 years, undergoing day-case arthroscopy, participated in a study to assess aspects of recovery and mood. Psychomotor tests, including the p-deletion test and the Trieger dot test, were performed pre-operatively and mood was measured using the mood adjective checklist. Anaesthesia in all patients was induced with propofol and a laryngeal mask airway was inserted immediately. All patients received alfentanil as the intra-operative analgesic. The patients were randomly allocated to receive one of two different regimens for maintenance of anaesthesia: propofol group—maintenance with an infusion of propofol 10 mg.kg^-1.h^-1for 15 min followed by 6 mg. kg^-1.h^-1 and nitrous oxide and oxygen (bolus doses of propofol were given if anaesthesia was deemed to be light); isoflurane group—maintenance with isoflurane (inspired concentration 0.5–2.0%) in nitrous oxide and oxygen. Postoperatively, psychomotor tests were repeated every 30 min and mood was measured after 2 h and 24 h. Psychomotor recovery was quicker in the isoflurane group than the propofol group and had returned to baseline values in the isoflurane group by 60 min. The time to discharge was similar in both groups as was the incidence of side effects. There was no difference in mood scores between the groups either at the time of discharge or at 24 h. We conclude that psychomotor recovery is somewhat quicker when isoflurane-based anaesthesia is used for day-case arthroscopy, but other factors, including time to awakening, mood and time to discharge are similar for both techniques.     

Intravenous buscopan for analgesia following laparoscopic sterilisation

Following reports that tubal smooth muscle spasm may contribute to pelvic pain following laparoscopic sterilisation, we studied the effect of buscopan (an anticholinergic agent used to relieve smooth muscle spasm) on 45 patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day-case laparoscopic sterilisation. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either buscopan 20 mg or saline placebo after induction of anaesthesia. There were no significant differences in pain scores or postoperative analgesic requirements between the two groups. We conclude that intravenous buscopan confers no benefit in day-case laparoscopic sterilisation.     

Propofol and halothane versus sevoflurane in paediatric day-case surgery: induction and recovery characteristics

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the inductionand recovery characteristics associated with propofol inductionand halothane maintenance with sevoflurane anaesthesia in paediatricday surgery. Methods. In total, 322 children were assigned randomly to i.v.propofol induction and halothane/nitrous oxide maintenance orsevoflurane/nitrous oxide alone. The patients’ age, sex,and type of surgery were recorded, as were the times requiredfor anaesthetic induction, maintenance, recovery and time todischarge home. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the incidenceof adverse events during induction and recovery were also noted. Results. No significant differences were detected in age, sex,type of surgery performed or intraoperative opioid administration.Excitatory movement was more common during induction with sevoflurane.The mean time required for induction with propofol was 3.1 mincompared with 5 min in the sevoflurane group (P<0.001). Therecovery time was shorter in the sevoflurane group comparedwith propofol/halothane (23.2 vs 26.4 min, P<0.002). Theincidence of delirium in recovery was greater in the sevofluranegroup (P<0.001). There was no difference between groups inthe time spent on the postoperative ward before discharge home.On the postoperative ward the incidence of both nausea and vomitingwas significantly higher in the sevoflurane group (P=0.034).Five children were admitted to hospital overnight, none foranaesthetic reasons. Conclusions. The increased incidence of adverse events duringinduction, postoperative nausea and vomiting and postoperativedelirium in the sevoflurane group suggests that sevofluraneis not ideal as a sole agent for paediatric day case anaesthesia. Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 461–6     

Delayed recovery following laparoscopic partial hepatectomy

We present a 42-year-old woman with unexpected coma after laparoscopic partial hepatectomy. MRI demonstrated ischaemic cerebral lesions. Further investigation revealed a patent foramen ovale. Cryptogenic stroke arising from a paradoxical carbon dioxide embolism was diagnosed. After 5 days of intensive care, she made a near complete recovery. Perioperative stroke, paradoxical emboli during surgery, patent foramen ovale, carbon dioxide cerebral embolism and therapeutic strategies are discussed.     

The effect of glycopyrrolate on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements following laparoscopic sterilisation

In order to evaluate the contribution of tubal spasm to pelvic pain following laparoscopic sterilisation, we have studied the effect of glycopyrrolate, an anticholinergic agent with antispasmodic properties, on 60 ASA 1 and 2 patients presenting as day-cases for laparoscopic sterilisation using Filshie clips. In a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial, patients received either glycopyrrolate 0.3mg or saline intravenously prior to induction of anaesthesia. Compared with the control group, patients receiving glycopyrrolate had significantly reduced immediate postoperative pain scores (p < 0.02) and required significantly less postoperative morphine (p < 0.01). Nausea, vomiting and anti-emetic requirements were also reduced though not significantly. We conclude that glycopyrrolate 0.3mg at induction of anaesthesia is an effective method of improving the quality of recovery after day-case laparoscopic sterilisation using clips.     

Desflurane versus propofol maintenance for outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background : The aims of the study were to evaluate costs and clinical characteristics of desflurane-based anaesthetic maintenance versus propofol for outpatient cholecystectomy.
Methods : All 60 patients received ketamine 0.2 mg kg^-1, fentanyl 2 μg kg^-1 and propofol 2 mg kg^-1 for induction. Ketorolac 0.4 mg kg^-1 and ondansetron 0.05 mg kg^-1 +droperidol 20 μg Kg^-1 was given as prophylaxis for postoperative pain and emesis, respectively. The patients were randomly assigned into Group P with propofol maintenance and opioid supplements, or Group D with desflurane in a low-flow circuit system.
Results : All the patients were successfully discharged within 8 h without any serious complications. Emergence from anaesthesia was more rapid after desflurane; they opened their eyes and stated date of birth at mean 6.4 and 8.4 min respectively, compared with 9.6 and 12 min in the propofol group (P<0.05). Nausea and pain were more frequent in Group D, 40% and 80% respectively; versus 17% and 50% in Group P (P<0.05). By telephone interview at 24 h and 7 d after the procedure, there was no major difference between the groups. With desflurane, drug costs per case were 10 $ lower than with propofol.
Conclusion : We conclude that desflurane is cheaper and has a more rapid emergence than propofol for outpatient cholecystectomy. However, propofol results in less pain and nausea in the recovery unit. Despite ondansetron and droperidol prophylaxis, there was still a substantial amount of nausea and vomiting after desflurane.     

A randomised controlled trial of intravenous versus inhalational analgesia during outpatient oocyte recovery

To compare the efficacy and acceptability of conventional intravenous sedation with patient-controlled inhalational isodesox, 57 women undergoing outpatient oocyte recovery were randomly allocated to receive isodesox by face mask, while 55 women were given intravenous fentanyl and midazolam. Women's satisfaction with pain relief, peroperative pain, clouding of memory and the surgeons' assessment of operating conditions were evaluated. Thirty-eight women in the inhalation group (67%) and 41 (75%) women in the intravenous group were 'very satisfied' with their analgesia (p = 0. 41). The mean (SD) pain score in women given isodesox was 46.8 (34. 7), while in the intravenous group it was 34.1 (21.3) (p = 0.02). Oxygen saturation levels < 94% were recorded in one woman using isodesox and in 16 (29%) women given intravenous analgesia. Despite higher pain scores, in comparison with the conventional analgesia, patient-controlled isodesox offers a safer method of pain relief with comparable satisfaction rates.     

Bladder functional recovery following acute overdistension

The effects of acute overstretching on detrusor function are unclear. Based on a new method to catheterize male rat bladder through the whole urethra, three groups (control, shamoperated, and acute bladder overdistension) of male rats were utilized in the present experiment. The contraction generated by in vitro bladders immediately post-overdistension in response to 2 Hz and 32 Hz stimulation significantly decreased at 0.75 ml and 1.5 ml intravesical volumes respectively; however, by 1 day post-overdistension the contractile responses increased toward normal. By three days the ability of the bladder to generate pressure completely returned to normal, and the average bladder weight for this group was increased. Similarly, the ability to empty was reduced at 0.75 ml and 1.5 ml immediately following overdistension and recovered fully after 3 days. The ability of the sham-operated bladders to empty at high intravesical volume was slightly reduced immediately following overdistension, and this was the only pathophysiological change observed in this group. Acute bladder overdistension did not alter intravesical capacity. It is clear that acute over-distension induced reversible changes in basic bladder function.© 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Gastrointestinal recovery following laparoscopic vs open colon surgery

Background: We prospectively studied the recovery of gastrointestinal motility in patients undergoing laparoscopic (LAP, n=7) or open (OPEN, n=7) colon resections. Methods: At operation, bipolar recording electrodes were placed on the proximal and distal antrum, the proximal site of the colonic anastomosis, and the rectosigmoid for postoperative myoelectric recordings. Results: Shorter postoperative hospitalization and earlier resumption of a regular diet of the LAP group just barely failed to achieve significant differences when compared with the OPEN group (p=0.091, p=0.050, respectively). There were no differences between groups for slow wave frequency, amplitude, or dysrhythmias in the antrum, nor for return of discrete (DERA) and continuous (CERA) electrical response activity in the colon. Percentage of slow waves with spike activity tended to increase with passage of time postoperatively in both groups. There was a significant difference between POD 3 and 7+ in the LAP group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the percentage of slow waves with spike activities between groups on any postoperative day. Conclusions: The potential benefits of using a laparoscopic approach to colon resection are not clearly confirmed by these data. While such an approach may possibly result in shorter hospitalization, it appears to offer at best only modest increases in the rapidity of recovery of gastrointestinal function.Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Orlando, Florida, USA, 11–14, March 1995     

Total intravenous versus inhalational anaesthesia for colonoscopy: a prospective study of clinical recovery and psychomotor function

A randomized, prospective study was conducted on 69 patients comparing recovery after two different anaesthetic techniques for ambulatory colonoscopy. Thirty-five patients received an intravenous fentanyl (1 microg/kg), midazolam (0.05 to 0. 075 mg/kg) and propofol (10 to 20 mg boluses as required) combination. 34 patients received sevoflurane in 67% nitrous oxide. Drug administration was titrated to clinical signs. At baseline and 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the procedure patient performance on a comprehensive battery of psychomotor tests was recorded. Emergence times were noted. Depth of sedation was assessed at 5 minute intervals for 30 minutes after the end of the procedure. Emergence times were faster in the fentanyl/midazolam/propofol group by 2.2 minutes. A lower sedation score was detected at 20 minutes in the sevoflurane/nitrous oxide group. Psychomotor impairment was of a greater magnitude and more prolonged by 30 to 90 minutes in the fentanyl/midazolam/propofol group. It is concluded that a sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthetic has a suitable recovery profile for ambulatory colonoscopy and results in faster recovery of cognitive function compared with a fentanyl, midazolam and propofol combination.     

Volatile induction and maintenance (VIMA) versus total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) for minor gynaecological procedures

We compared the techniques of volatile induction and maintenance (VIMA) and total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) in various aspects. Patients undergoing spontaneous respiration-general anaesthesia were randomised into two groups; Group P received iv fentanyl 1 μg/kg and propofol 2 mg/kg for induction followed by propofol 10 mg/min as required. Group S received vital capacity induction with sevoflurane and were maintained on 66% N₂O in O₂ with sevoflurane 2%. Induction times, complications and recovery times were recorded. Visual analogue scores for pain and satisfaction were assessed. The two groups did not differ significantly in emergence times or VAS scores for pain and satisfaction but more complications like apnoea and injection pain were encountered during TIVA compared to VIMA. Our results suggest that both techniques are comparable in efficacy for providing anaesthesia in minor gynaecological surgery with swift induction, good recovery and minimal postoperative complications.     

腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除术后胃肠动力恢复的对比研究

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除与开腹胆囊切除术后胃肠动力恢复情况。方法 通过测定血浆胃动素,血清胃泌素,胃电图振幅,频率及术后肠鸣音恢复时间,肛门排气时间等几项指标联合观察了３０例腹腔镜胆囊切除患者及１８例开腹胆囊切除患者。结果 腹腔镜胆囊切除术组患者手术前后胃动素,胃泌素,胃电图振幅,频率的差异无显著意义,开腹胆囊切除术后第１,２天胃动素,胃泌素,胃电图振幅,频率与术胶及腹腔镜胆囊切除术组相比差异有显